N Ireland terror group 'disbanded'

McColgan's funeral took place in Belfast on Tuesday

BELFAST, Northern Ireland -- A Protestant paramilitary group that claimed responsibility for killing a Catholic postman in Northern Ireland has announced that it is disbanding.

The Red Hand Defenders -- which police believe to be a cover name used by, among others, paramilitary group the Ulster Defense Association -- said in a statement they were disbanding as of midnight on Wednesday.

They said they were taking the move after a request from the UDA.

Analysts say paramilitary groups frequently form and disband, changing names as necessary.

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The Red Hand Defenders said they fatally shot 20-year-old postman Daniel McColgan, at a sorting office in a Protestant area of Belfast on Saturday.

A day earlier, the group announced that it considered Catholic teachers, postal workers and prison officers to be "legitimate targets."

The Ulster Freedom Fighters -- another cover name for the UDA -- issued a statement on Tuesday distancing itself from the threats and ordering the Red Hand Defenders to stand down within two weeks.

Some were sceptical about the promise to disband.

Nationalist SDLP Assembly member Alex Attwood said he believed the UDA was engaged in a game of "smoke and mirrors" with the statements.

"This organisation has grievously offended against the community in recent days," he told the UK Press Association.

"They are trying to cover their tracks and distance themselves from what is happening because everybody knows the UFF, the UDA, the Red Hand Defenders are the one and the same group of people whatever name they call themselves.

"Given that it is the same people, this does not change anything and people will treat their claims with caution.

"If there are further statements by that group of people withdrawing threats against everybody including postal workers, teachers and the Catholic community, then that would be more of a step forward."