Threatened diplomat back at work

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An Irish government official forced to move from Belfast to Dublin four months ago after a loyalist death threat is back working in Northern Ireland.

Aine de Baroid was working with Irish President Mary McAleese's husband, Martin, in his outreach work with loyalist communities.

She moved in August after being told by the PSNI the threat was "credible".

The Irish foreign affairs department is currently building a high security residence for its officials in Belfast.

The threat, widely condemned at the time, was made by a breakaway faction of the Ulster Defence Association paramilitary group.

Ms de Baroid - one of an estimated 30 Irish civil servants based in Belfast and Armagh - works for the British-Irish Secretariat.

The Ulster Political Research Group, which is linked to the UDA, said in August they had a "fantastic relationship" with Ms de Baroid.

Spokesman Frankie Gallagher described her as "non-political" and said he would continue to work with her.

He said he "could not see" anyone from the UDA, UVF or Red Hand Commando being behind the threat.