DISSIDENT POLICE DEATH THREAT RALLY TO BE PROBED
Dissident 'police death threat rally' to be probed
BY MICHAEL McGLADE
michael.mcglade@jpress.co.uk
POLICE have pledged to "thoroughly" investigate an illegal dissident republican rally in Londonderry at which renewed death threats were made against their officers.
During the Easter Monday event organised by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, the Real IRA warned PSNI officers would be targeted "regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation" and voiced their opposition to next month's visit by the Queen to the Republic.
Yesterday, a senior police officer revealed the PSNI had taken "a low-key operational response" to the rally held at Creggan Cemetery, where masked men read put a statement on behalf of the dissidents.
"Any alleged breaches of criminal law reported to police or coming to our attention will be rigorously and thoroughly investigated," said superintendent Chris Yates.
"The PSNI work to ensure that all their actions are appropriate, proportionate and lawful. Our priorities are to protect the public, preserve public order, uphold the human rights of all and gather evidence of any wrongdoing."
Superintendent Yates said police would continue to take a robust stance against the dissident terrorists.
A police spokesperson added: "In the event that an illegal parade goes ahead, police will seek to preserve public order and ensure public safety. They will also gather evidence with a view to identifying and prosecuting anyone who breaks the law."
Lord Maurice Morrow, from the DUP, hit out at the PSNl's "softly-softly" approach.
"Quite clearly, there is an urgent need for a change of tactic from police - they can continue to sit back and let these events go ahead, when it appears they have prior knowledge of them," he said.
"We have seen over the last 35 years that the softly, softly approach does not work. Police need to be taking preventative actions to stop rallies like this going ahead.
"I know that there is a real sense of anger from the law-abiding community over this, and we will now be waiting to see if police can follow through on this and arrest those who blatantly showed their lack of respect for the law."
The chilling statement referring to police from the Real IRA, which murdered two soldiers in Antrim and planted the Omagh bomb in 1998, read: "Those who think they are serving their community are in fact serving the occupation and will be treated as such.
"The GAA, Catholic Church and constitutional nationalism will be unable to protect those who turn traitor. They are as liable for execution as anyone, regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation".
On the Queen's visit, the masked men said: "The Queen of England is wanted for war crimes in Ireland and is not wanted on Irish soil."
BY MICHAEL McGLADE
michael.mcglade@jpress.co.uk
POLICE have pledged to "thoroughly" investigate an illegal dissident republican rally in Londonderry at which renewed death threats were made against their officers.
During the Easter Monday event organised by the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, the Real IRA warned PSNI officers would be targeted "regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation" and voiced their opposition to next month's visit by the Queen to the Republic.
Yesterday, a senior police officer revealed the PSNI had taken "a low-key operational response" to the rally held at Creggan Cemetery, where masked men read put a statement on behalf of the dissidents.
"Any alleged breaches of criminal law reported to police or coming to our attention will be rigorously and thoroughly investigated," said superintendent Chris Yates.
"The PSNI work to ensure that all their actions are appropriate, proportionate and lawful. Our priorities are to protect the public, preserve public order, uphold the human rights of all and gather evidence of any wrongdoing."
Superintendent Yates said police would continue to take a robust stance against the dissident terrorists.
A police spokesperson added: "In the event that an illegal parade goes ahead, police will seek to preserve public order and ensure public safety. They will also gather evidence with a view to identifying and prosecuting anyone who breaks the law."
Lord Maurice Morrow, from the DUP, hit out at the PSNl's "softly-softly" approach.
"Quite clearly, there is an urgent need for a change of tactic from police - they can continue to sit back and let these events go ahead, when it appears they have prior knowledge of them," he said.
"We have seen over the last 35 years that the softly, softly approach does not work. Police need to be taking preventative actions to stop rallies like this going ahead.
"I know that there is a real sense of anger from the law-abiding community over this, and we will now be waiting to see if police can follow through on this and arrest those who blatantly showed their lack of respect for the law."
The chilling statement referring to police from the Real IRA, which murdered two soldiers in Antrim and planted the Omagh bomb in 1998, read: "Those who think they are serving their community are in fact serving the occupation and will be treated as such.
"The GAA, Catholic Church and constitutional nationalism will be unable to protect those who turn traitor. They are as liable for execution as anyone, regardless of their religion, cultural background or motivation".
On the Queen's visit, the masked men said: "The Queen of England is wanted for war crimes in Ireland and is not wanted on Irish soil."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/825
Published Date: 27-Apr-11
Related Images
