THE condition of Bernadette McAliskey was described as 'very serious but stable' as we went to press.
band Michael, who was also injured in the attack on Friday morning, are in immediate danger of losing their lives.
Bernadette and Michael severely wounded at their home CoaDstand, Derrylaughlin, near Tyrone.
Bernadette was shot five times in her chest, legs She and went two operations within hours of her being rushed to nosoilal After the second she wett Illu shock' and her condition deteriorated. But spokesperson ectoria Hospital the Royal Bernow denied that she ever went into a coma.
The attempted assasSiliatlull Bernadette was the responsibility of the Loyalist paramilitary Ulster Defence Association, according 'reliable sources' quoted in the Irish Times. It is believed that neither she nor her husproachable by car via a rutted, muddy lane full of potholes. Maximum Speed asimatedne has.
estimated 10mph, SO any vehicle using the lane easily spotted, necessary stopped, by the anvole walkillig house.
Masks On the Friday morning when the UDA men oroke to we nouse we were wearing woolly IllasKs OVCI their heads. They were the by Michael McAliskey and SNO. was then fired at him.
The men then broke their way into the house.
Anyone watching the house would have seen this and would obviously have concluded that something was up.
McAliskey's nearest neighbour is Michael Donnelly. He lives 200 yards from Bernadette and her husband He did not hear any shots, which suggests that the soldiers who claimed to have rushed to the house after hearing Ine been nearer than 200 yards The British 'security forces' have been extremely reticent explaining what the army was doing in the area at the time of the attack.
A spokesperson for the the RUC.
rying out military duties', but declined to elaborate. The commanding officer of the soldiers concerned, when asked whether his men nad mounted out' said: can't was routine patrol. said. "They just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
the exact details of the shooting it indisputable that made in Michael the SDLP that knew that Secretary telligence indicated year other H Block konnie Noel 'Since the start of 1980 alone, Canavan pointed out, 'court convictions show UDA involvement murders, one attempted murder, and five armed robberies.
For its part, the preBritish government has done its best to cover up for the UDA A statement from the Northern Office November described the 'essentially political' But even leaders of the UDA have admitted that this is not the case.
In an interview with the Belfast Irish News in December, Andy commander-in-chief the UDA, said of the killing of Ronnie Bunting and Noel Little: quite likel people from murders.
Last Friday the UDA attempted to add BerHautllt and Michael McAliskey to their everlengthening list of viCtims. Hopefully they have not succeeded.
Bernadette is a born survivor, and, it seems, even the joint efforts of the UDA and the British government have failed to end her fight for justice and socialism.