Post by RedFlag32 on May 27, 2007 18:43:32 GMT
IRSP man's comments investigated by police
(Seamus McKinney, Irish News)
Police are examining comments by a leading IRSP figure who warned that dissident republicans would not allow officers to live in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
IRSP member Willie Gallagher was speaking after police searched the home of a party member in the town.
Mr Gallagher said masked police using laser sighted guns forced their way into the house and forced the family outside.
He said "anti-agreement republicans" were aware of an increase in the "surveillance and harassment" of people opposed to the Good Friday Agreement since Sinn Féin joined the Policing Board.
"Anti-agreement republicans will not sit idly back and allow PSNI members to live in our community whilst this continues," he said.
"Is this the type of behaviour that constitutes a new beginning to policing?"
Mr Gallagher also asked whether the police believed young people from republican areas would join following such house searches.
He said an IRSP member was confronted by officers shouting "armed police" early on Saturday.
He said that as each family member was removed from the house, the red dots from laser gun sights could be seen on their bodies.
Police confirmed that a house was searched in Strabane as part of an investigation into serious crime.
A spokesman said a search warrant was properly served.
"We are investigating comments alleged to have been made in relation to police officers and other members of the community," he said.
(Seamus McKinney, Irish News)
Police are examining comments by a leading IRSP figure who warned that dissident republicans would not allow officers to live in Strabane, Co Tyrone.
IRSP member Willie Gallagher was speaking after police searched the home of a party member in the town.
Mr Gallagher said masked police using laser sighted guns forced their way into the house and forced the family outside.
He said "anti-agreement republicans" were aware of an increase in the "surveillance and harassment" of people opposed to the Good Friday Agreement since Sinn Féin joined the Policing Board.
"Anti-agreement republicans will not sit idly back and allow PSNI members to live in our community whilst this continues," he said.
"Is this the type of behaviour that constitutes a new beginning to policing?"
Mr Gallagher also asked whether the police believed young people from republican areas would join following such house searches.
He said an IRSP member was confronted by officers shouting "armed police" early on Saturday.
He said that as each family member was removed from the house, the red dots from laser gun sights could be seen on their bodies.
Police confirmed that a house was searched in Strabane as part of an investigation into serious crime.
A spokesman said a search warrant was properly served.
"We are investigating comments alleged to have been made in relation to police officers and other members of the community," he said.
