Social Democratic and Labour Party Belfast City Councillor Séamas de Faoite has condemned the intimidation of a woman and her children from her home by Loyalist paramilitaries.

He said: “I am sickened that a young mother and her children have been forced to leave their home following a campaign of intimidation.

“Everyone has the right to live in a society without fear of intimidation. The UVF, UDA and those behind this threat offer nothing to people in the Cregagh or East Belfast.

“23 years on from the Agreement it beggars belief that illegal paramilitary gangs still exist and are still intimidating people from their homes.

“It is beyond time that these gangs were disbanded. All political leaders must be committed to eradicating this blight on communities across Belfast. That must begin by refusing to give succour or legitimacy to those parading as their representatives.

“There is an onus on the PSNI and the statutory agencies to provide immediate and appropriate support to the family, and I will be following up with them to ensure that happens."