The murder took place on Sunday and the deceased was named as John Boreland. (Representational Photo)
Belfast:
A leading member of a major Northern Ireland paramilitary group that was supposed to have disbanded was shot dead in Belfast on Sunday, sparking fears of a fresh feud that could raise tensions in the British-controlled province.
Local media named the deceased as John Boreland, who was injured in a previous murder attempt two years ago. Boreland was a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) which scrapped its weapons in front of independent monitors in 2010, completing the disarming of Northern Ireland's main militant groups.
A 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of bloodshed between Catholic Irish nationalists, seeking union with Ireland, and predominantly Protestant unionists who want to remain part of the United Kingdom, but pockets of violence remain.
A murder linked to former Irish nationalist militants led to a political crisis last year between the former foes who jointly run the power sharing executive when it raised questions about whether the province's ceasefire was being properly adhered to.
Sunday's murder was condemned by politicians on all sides, some of whom have expressed concern over the implications for the peace process from Britain's vote to leave the European Union, particularly if it leads to any hardening of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
Local media named the deceased as John Boreland, who was injured in a previous murder attempt two years ago. Boreland was a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) which scrapped its weapons in front of independent monitors in 2010, completing the disarming of Northern Ireland's main militant groups.
A 1998 peace deal largely ended three decades of bloodshed between Catholic Irish nationalists, seeking union with Ireland, and predominantly Protestant unionists who want to remain part of the United Kingdom, but pockets of violence remain.
A murder linked to former Irish nationalist militants led to a political crisis last year between the former foes who jointly run the power sharing executive when it raised questions about whether the province's ceasefire was being properly adhered to.
Sunday's murder was condemned by politicians on all sides, some of whom have expressed concern over the implications for the peace process from Britain's vote to leave the European Union, particularly if it leads to any hardening of the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.
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