(Bimpe Fatogun, Irish News)

The father of a Co Armagh man believed to have been abducted and murdered by the IRA has called for nationalists to "think hard" before voting for Sinn Féin in the forthcoming election.

The appeal comes on the six-month anniversary of the disappearance of 24-year-old Gareth O'Connor. And last night (Monday) Gareth's father, Mark O'Connor, revealed that police had visited the family to warn his youngest son his life is a risk from "criminal elements".

Mr O'Connor said the family believe these elements to be the same Provisional republicans responsible for the disappearance of Gareth.

A Volkswagen Golf the father-of-two was driving was last seen passing through the south Armagh border village of Newtownhamilton in May.

In an Irish News interview two months later, Chief Constable Hugh Orde said it was "highly likely" that the IRA was behind the suspected abduction and murder.

However, a statement issued by the IRA denied it was "involved in the recent disappearance of Gareth O'Connor".

Last night Sinn Féin again rebutted suggestions the IRA was involved in the incident. But Mr O'Connor's father made a direct appeal to voters accusing Sinn Féin of "fascism for the people they have murdered for speaking out against them".

"I urge voters of Northern Ireland to think about all the deeds Sinn Féin/IRA have done in the past and possibly to their own family," he said.

"I urge the voters to think about the disappeared. Think hard before you vote."

Last night a spokesman for Sinn Féin said: "The IRA has issued a clear statement on this matter.

"Sinn Féin have repeatedly called on anyone with any information on the whereabouts of Gareth to come forward and give it to the family."

However, Mr O'Connor, who said Gareth's son and girlfriend will be forced to leave their home after Christmas as the family can no longer afford to keep up the mortgage payment, predicted a backlash against the party at the forthcoming elections.

"I am calling on all right-minded people to say you don't know what's going to happen to your child or grandchild," he said.

This article appeared first in the November 18, 2003 edition of the Irish News.

This article appears thanks to the Irish News. Subscribe to the Irish News