Mowlam steps up security in Ulster

As 150 Republican and Loyalist inmates released on parole for Christmas filed back into the Maze high security prison yesterday, the RUC announced that troops were being ordered back onto the streets of Ulster. Louise Jury in Belfast heard Mo Mowlam back a new security clampdown

Describing the factional killing and worsening security situation in the province as "serious" but "not out of control", Mo Mowlam, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, insisted she was not intending to resign. Instead she announced the stepping up of security and an extended investigation into operational policy at the Maze.

Just one month after daytime military patrols in support of the police were stopped, RUC chiefs decided to reintroduce them when necessary as part of fresh measures to try to thwart hit-and-run loyalist gunmen shooting Catholics in revenge for the INLA murder of Loyalist Volunteer Force chief, Billy Wright.

After separate attacks which left two Catholics dead and up to a dozen more injured in Belfast and Dungannon, the fear now is that a vicious tit-for-tat shooting war could erupt between rival loyalist and republican factions not on ceasefire. The doomsday scenario envisages other groups being drawn into the fray, including the IRA, which is sticking to its truce.

Last night, Ms Mowlam announced that she would hold an urgent round of meetings with leaders of all the main political parties in Belfast, starting next Monday, in advance of the resumption of the Stormont negotiations on 12 January.

Speaking after talks with Ronnie Flanagan, the Royal Ulster Constabulary chief constable, Ms Mowlam also backed the setting up of security patrols. She said she had repeatedly expressed her desire to see a reduction in security activity and a return to normality as soon as possible.

But she said they had been able to increase security very quickly in response to the "irresponsible, cruel and utterly futile" acts of recent violence.

"The deplorable events of the past few days have raised fears in both communities. Real fears which do not go away easily," she said.

"We as government will do all we can to make sure these fears are not realised. The best day to do this and to establish confidence is by making the talks process work. The situation now is serious but it is not out of control."

Ronnie Flanagan appealed for the public's help in preventing further attacks.

"We have had dreadful murders in recent days and sadly I cannot say that is the last murder we are going to witness. But it must be kept in proportion."

Doormen and former IRA prisoner Seamus Dillon, 46, was shot within hours of the murder of Billy Wright. Eddie Treanor, 31, a civil servant with no Republican ties, was murdered in a bar on New Year's Eve.

The Loyalist Volunteer Force claimed responsibility for both attacks although suspicions have been raised that more mainstream loyalist para militaries such as the Ulster Defence Association might have helped the LVF carry out Wednesday's attack.