GUNMEN'S WARNING TO DRUG DEALERS

Former Mayor, John Finlay, claims the men appeared around tea time to deliver a chilling warning that anyone involved in the drugs trade in the village would be dealt with.

A poster is understood to have been put up containing the warning. According to sources, it is still on public view.

Now, Councillor Finlay is demanding to know if the gunmen belong to Dissidents, Real IRA or any other Republican elements.

He told the Times: “This is appalling news. I want to know just who these Republican gunmen belong to. I call on Sinn Fein to say something about this.”

In a statement, a police spokesperson said: “While we have not received any reports of this matter we would urge anyone who has any information regarding the incident to contact the police at Ballymoney.

“The telephone number to ring is 0845 600 8000, or email [email protected] Alternatively, information about crime can be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity by calling 0800 555 111.”

Sources in the village say that there has been some concern about the growing use of drugs in the village as well as anti-social behaviour. It was even suggested that Dunloy would soon eclipse Ballymena as the centre of drugs abuse in North Antrim.

Though not condoning what took place at the weekend, the source said: “The situation regarding drugs and other activities here has been monitored for sometime and it isn’t surprising that this has happened.

“There are people from outside the area who are coming in to ply their trade and parents and families are concerned. We have seen the effects drugs can have and what has happened in the past to those dealing in them. We certainly don’t want anything like that in Dunloy, but we certainly want to put an end to this sordid practice.”