Paramilitary intimidation leads to homelessness, report finds

Paramilitary intimidation has led to an increase in the number of homeless people in Northern Ireland, a report by the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC) has found.

It urged the need for "a sustained focus" to tackle paramilitarism.

The body added the situation is not being helped by political instability.

It stated it was shocking that 194 households were "accepted" as homeless by the Housing Executive in 2022-23 due to intimidation.

This is 45 more than the year before and a figure which "only provided a snapshot", according to the IRC.

"We are mindful of the life-changing effect of paramilitary threats forcing people to leave an area and that there is limited information available about this," the report continued.

Figures show that 111 of the cases were in the Ards and North Down council area.

'Prepare the ground'

Established in 2017, by the Irish and British governments, the IRC issues annual reports on efforts to tackle paramilitarism.

The report published on Tuesday is its sixth.

• Paramilitary-style shootings on the rise in Northern Ireland

• UVF leaders in east Belfast ordered to 'stand down' by hierarchy

• Young people 'being groomed' into paramilitary violence

It repeated its call for the two governments to appoint an individual to "prepare the ground" for engagement with paramilitary groups on disbandment.

In March, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the idea was under consideration.

"We urge them to progress the implementation of this as soon as possible," the report stated.

"We fear that if we do not move forward with scoping the potential for a formal group transition process, there is little or no chance of achieving the goal of ending paramilitarism once and for all.

"We feel that would be a major missed opportunity."

IRC commissioner Monica McWilliams, speaking at a press conference marking the report, said she hoped there would be progress on an appointment soon.

"We are hoping that process will be taken forward in the next weeks or months... We await the announcement and that's over to the two governments."

The commissioners also responded to reports that the leadership of the east Belfast UVF had been stood down over its drug-dealing and other criminal activities.

Ms McWilliams said: "It is good that this has happened. I am sure communities in east Belfast are breathing a sigh of relief.

"Clearly the question everybody will now ask is 'what comes next?'"