Hitting back at media allegations that the INLA were solely responsible for Anthony O'Neill & Bernard Cairns taking their own lives, IRSP spokesman Paul Little said there were many factors which contributed to their despair.

"These young men had fallen foul of the community and that is quite obvious. The job is now to focus on not letting other young men in similar circumstances slip through the hands of the community again. We will continue to do work with all sections of the community during this difficult time and we would like to assure the community that the IRSP will not be exacerbating the situation in any way.

"However, we would like to issue an appeal to children and teenagers in the area. We're asking those who are hell bent on engaging in anti- social behaviour to please stop. Look at the destruction and hurt you are bringing on other members of the community. If we had a better structure and system to deal with this then other agencies would not have to step in.

"There are many factors which have damaged this community's infrastructure, not least the policing vacuum. At the moment we have a discredited PSNI who are supposed to be one of the main statutory bodies tackling this sort of crime.

"Instead of tackling the scourge of death driving and drugs, which are being openly sold on our streets, they are arresting these youths in cars and turning them into informers.

"The immense pressure alone of this is enough for anyone. We cannot be complacent about this situation and it needs everyone's urgent attention."

STATEMENTS ENDS