Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 20, 2007 18:25:48 GMT
Loyalist death threats against IRSP
Strabane Chronicle. Thu, Apr 19, 2007.
Under Loyalist threat, Willie Gallagher of the IRSP.
"Any attack on IRSP members will be met with a response by the INLA."
THAT's the blunt statement made by leading IRSP man Willie Gallagher after it emerged that his details and those of two low-ranking members of the party in Strabane may be in the hands of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
Willie Gallagher, a former prisoner, was told by the PSNI on Friday that his details may be in the possession of Loyalist paramilitaries.
Personal details of the three are believed to be among details of some 100 people discovered during an arrest operation on April 11.
Following that operation, one man has been charged with membership of the UVF and of possessing explosives.
Another man, a police civilian worker, stands accused of having documents likely to be of use to terrorists.
The man, who worked in the police's crime management branch, has been suspended. He has been remanded in custody on the charges, which also include allegedly breaching the Data Protection Act and misconduct in public office.
Police have now begun an internal inquiry into allegations that the security of their computer system has been breached.
At the end of last week, police arrived at the home of Willie Gallagher and, whilst they told him a threat did exist, they did not reveal the nature of that threat nor the details held by the group on Mr Gallagher.
A police message stated that during a search of premises on Wednesday April 11 police took possession of a number of documents. Examination of the documents revealed information concerning Mr Gallagher may be in the possession of Loyalist paramilitaries, the message said.
Two other men, described as low-ranking IRSP members were also told that a threat existed. Both are said to be 'very shaken' by the threats.
Mr Gallagher said police have refused to divulge what details are held by Loyalists about him, and even refused to say what grouping the threat concerned.
"I am now applying for a judicial review in an attempt to extract information from the PSNI regarding details that are held concerning myself in order to make a personal security assessment.
"The lack of information means that I cannot take any steps to protect myself. What personal details does it relate to, my home address, place of work, or car registration.
"I can't assess the risk to my personal safety because I don't have any information. It is not so much for myself, but for others that I am more concerned," said Mr Gallagher, who has been the subject of numerous threats down through the years.
"It is sinister given the past relationship between the PSNI and the UVF, so the threat has to be taken seriously. The other two members of the party are quite shaken that their details have been made available and are concerned for their families."
Mr Gallagher, who believes the information came from the police database added, "If this information is in the hands of UVF terrorists, why can't they tell us what information they have?
"Where is the parity of esteem and this new beginning to policing when I can't even get details which came from the police database?
"I am absolutely disgusted that the PSNI won't give any information to the citizens they are obligated to protect. Information is required so a personal threat assessment can be made. But it's no surprise that we haven't been told.
"Another issue is the silence from Unionist parties. A number of years ago they closed down Stormont because of alleged intelligence gathering and yet they have remained completely silent on this."
Mr Gallagher concluded the interview by saying, "I think it's fair to say that any attacks on IRSP members will be met with a response by the INLA."
