ANGER AT POLICING OF REAL IRA RALLY
Anger at policing of Real IRA rally
BY REBECCA BLACK
UNIONISTS have hit out at police after dissident terrorists were able to parade and make inflammatory speeches in public for the third year in a row.
The Real IRA ,which planted the Omagh bomb and murdered two soldiers at Massereene Barracks, caused outrage after a statement threatening more killings was read out in Londonderry on Easter Monday - the third such display in the city in successive years.
Police have once again promised to investigate.
But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said there is "considerable anger" in Londonderry that the dissident grouping has been able to hold a public display in the city again and called for "not just words but action" from police.
"This is the third year in a row that they have been able to gather openly in Londonderry as well as several appearances elsewhere," he said.
"I want to see a case prepared for the Public Prosecution Service and the people involved in this prosecuted - not all were wearing masks."
Yesterday a senior police officer revealed the PSNI had taken "a low-key operational response" to Monday's rally held at Creggan Cemetery, where masked men read out a statement on behalf of the dissidents.
Meanwhile, a Londonderry priest offering to talk with dissident republicans has been urged to think again by Mr Campbell.
He described the offer as "totally and utterly futile" and says FR Michael Canny's initiative could exacerbate an already bad situation.
BY REBECCA BLACK
UNIONISTS have hit out at police after dissident terrorists were able to parade and make inflammatory speeches in public for the third year in a row.
The Real IRA ,which planted the Omagh bomb and murdered two soldiers at Massereene Barracks, caused outrage after a statement threatening more killings was read out in Londonderry on Easter Monday - the third such display in the city in successive years.
Police have once again promised to investigate.
But DUP MP Gregory Campbell said there is "considerable anger" in Londonderry that the dissident grouping has been able to hold a public display in the city again and called for "not just words but action" from police.
"This is the third year in a row that they have been able to gather openly in Londonderry as well as several appearances elsewhere," he said.
"I want to see a case prepared for the Public Prosecution Service and the people involved in this prosecuted - not all were wearing masks."
Yesterday a senior police officer revealed the PSNI had taken "a low-key operational response" to Monday's rally held at Creggan Cemetery, where masked men read out a statement on behalf of the dissidents.
Meanwhile, a Londonderry priest offering to talk with dissident republicans has been urged to think again by Mr Campbell.
He described the offer as "totally and utterly futile" and says FR Michael Canny's initiative could exacerbate an already bad situation.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/824
Published Date: 27-Apr-11
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