Post by RedFlag32 on Apr 28, 2007 18:23:48 GMT
'Derry INLA not involved in crime' - IRSP
The IRSP in Derry have dismissed claims that INLA members are involved in
serious crime for personal gain.
The 15th report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which was
published on Wednesday, asserted that the INLA “remain involved in serious
crime, and although much of the proceeds are for personal gain, some may
go to the organisation.”
Local IRSP spokesperson, Martin McMonagle, has rubbished the claim: “The
simple fact of the matter is that no-one associated with the movement in
this city has been arrested, let alone convicted, for a criminal offence,”
he told the ‘Journal’.
“The IMC report says that INLA members are involved in crime for personal
gain - but where is the proof? INLA members in Derry do not have holiday
homes or drive flash cars or have that kind of lifestyle, so where is the
IMC getting this information from?”
The IRSP spokesperson also said that the INLA in Derry have been actively
involved in tackling crime in republican areas.
“It is a matter of public
record that the INLA and the republican socialist movement have been
actively disrupting the activities of criminals, particularly drug
dealers. Last year, the INLA in Derry disrupted a cocaine dealing
operation in Derry. Communities in republican areas know what the
republican socialist movement’s attitude to crime is,” he said.
Mr McMonagle claimed that the findings of the IMC report were politically
motivated. “It is clear to us what this is about. It is an attempt to
disrupt the political development of the republican socialist movement. We
have been growing stronger in the last couple of months, particularly in
the North West, and this is an attempt to discredit us.
“If we had signed up to accepting political policing at the same time as
so-called mainstream republicans, I would imagine that the republican
socialist movement would have got a clean bill of health in this report.”
The IRSP in Derry have dismissed claims that INLA members are involved in
serious crime for personal gain.
The 15th report of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which was
published on Wednesday, asserted that the INLA “remain involved in serious
crime, and although much of the proceeds are for personal gain, some may
go to the organisation.”
Local IRSP spokesperson, Martin McMonagle, has rubbished the claim: “The
simple fact of the matter is that no-one associated with the movement in
this city has been arrested, let alone convicted, for a criminal offence,”
he told the ‘Journal’.
“The IMC report says that INLA members are involved in crime for personal
gain - but where is the proof? INLA members in Derry do not have holiday
homes or drive flash cars or have that kind of lifestyle, so where is the
IMC getting this information from?”
The IRSP spokesperson also said that the INLA in Derry have been actively
involved in tackling crime in republican areas.
“It is a matter of public
record that the INLA and the republican socialist movement have been
actively disrupting the activities of criminals, particularly drug
dealers. Last year, the INLA in Derry disrupted a cocaine dealing
operation in Derry. Communities in republican areas know what the
republican socialist movement’s attitude to crime is,” he said.
Mr McMonagle claimed that the findings of the IMC report were politically
motivated. “It is clear to us what this is about. It is an attempt to
disrupt the political development of the republican socialist movement. We
have been growing stronger in the last couple of months, particularly in
the North West, and this is an attempt to discredit us.
“If we had signed up to accepting political policing at the same time as
so-called mainstream republicans, I would imagine that the republican
socialist movement would have got a clean bill of health in this report.”