DUP Leader Arlene Foster “has been made aware by the PSNI of a threat issued against her by the South East Antrim UDA”, the party said in a statement this afternoon.
The threat, the First Minister says, is linked to her support for the family of Glenn Quinn. Mr Quinn, 47, died after a savage assault at his home in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim in January last year. The South East Antrim UDA has been blamed for the attack.
Reacting to the news, Mrs Foster said: “This threat appears to have been issued because of my support for the Quinn family a year on from the brutal murder of Glenn Quinn. My thoughts and support remains with the Quinn family who have so bravely stood up to continued intimidation. This threat is simply reflection of what an innocent family have faced for so long now.
“There must be no place for such behaviour in any free society and we all must stand against those criminal gangs which continue to operate within our community.”
DUP Home Affairs Spokesperson Gavin Robinson added: “I first engaged with the Quinn family last year and continue to support them against the threats they have faced.
“Everyone will stand with the First Minister and particularly with the Quinn family in the face of such threats. It is important that we all continue to shine a light on such groups who exist for nothing more than their own criminal purposes.”
