Security forces are on high alert across Belfast after the sectarian murder of a young Catholic postman by Loyalist paramilitaries.
Twenty-year-old Daniel McColgan was shot as he arrived to collect mail just before 5am at a sorting office in the Loyalist Rathcoole estate. Two gunmen who had been lying in wait fired at him then shot him again at close range. Mr McColgan, who had a partner and a one-year-old baby girl, died later in hospital.
The Loyalist paramilitary group, the Red Hand Defenders, said that they carried out this morning's killing. This is a cover name often used by the UDA. The UDA's so-called South East Antrim Brigade is suspected of being responsible for the killing.
The Taoiseach has called for the North's police to step up their activities. Bertie Ahern said that official police statistics show that two-thirds of shootings and violent incidents are generated by Loyalist groups. He is concerned that there have been "few or no arrests", and called on the Northern Secretary to "do all he can to try to improve and deal with that situation."
"It would be surprising if some of the leaders of the Loyalist gangs are not known, and, of course, people have felt that something was going to happen because tension has built up over the past few days. They feel that more could be done in the policing area. And I just hope that the authorities can do all they can," said Mr Ahern.
Brian Cowen described the killing and the death threats against other workers as "a direct and vicious assault on civilised society and democratic values.
Dr John Reid said everyone in the North had to confront the struggle between peace and hatred. "We cannot let those who cling to hate-filled violence cast Northern Ireland back into the darkness," said the Northern Secretary.
Ruairi Quinn said that those responsible were guilty of a "heinous and senseless crime". The Labour Party leader added that the attack was reminiscent of the worst days of the last thirty years.
Nigel Dodds said that "callous murder cannot be justified under any circumstances". The Democratic Unionist MP for North Belfast added that such "brutal" murders "increase fears and tensions throughout the entire community".
Alban Maginness, the SDLP Assembly member for North Belfast said: "At the end of a sickening week, this is the most sickening event of all."
The North's First and Deputy First Ministers, David Trimble and Mark Durkan, also condemned the murder.
Staff in the main postal sorting office at Mallusk, County Antrim, a short distance away from where the shooting took place, walked out after hearing of the killing.
Members of the Communications Workers Union said that they will not collect any mail tomorrow nor make deliveries on Monday as a mark of respect to their murdered colleague.
John Keggie, the union's deputy general secretary, said there was a feeling of "shock and anger" among postal workers across the country.
Tom Gillen, of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, said he had a feeling of "total disgust that we have to acknowledge the murder of another innocent worker going about his business".
"At a quarter to five in the morning he left his home to go and do an honest day's work and was murdered by sectarian bigots," he said.
