RUC assaults nationalists
NATIONALISTS INVOLVED IN A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION against an
Orange march in the County Fermanagh village of Newtownbutler
were assaulted by a large force of RUC last Sunday 3 August. The
RUC moved against the nationalists at about 5pm as they gathered
on the main street to protest against a planned Black Perceptory
march.
According to Kevin Lawrenceson, the residents spokesperson, the
RUC officer in charge of the operation told the nationalists to
``get to the bottom of the street or else''.
The nationalists had moved up the street towards a group of
houses occupied by nationalists and where the RUC lines were
positioned and although they were standing on the pavement the
RUC still threatened them.
Said Lawrenceson, ``there was about 50 RUC jeeps and about 250
RUC, they were lined up with riot gear and when they moved
against us they just beat and kicked people down the street. Six
people were badly beaten and another seven received lesser
injuries.
``This is an 86% nationalist village and the RUC acted like the
armed wing of the Black Perceptory. They curfewed the village and
beat up our residents to facilitate a march consisting of people
who don't even live here''.
Of those injured two were stretchered away, one man had his neck
strapped up and a woman, who was visiting her daughters who live
in the main street was ``savagely beaten, the RUC were stamping on
her stomach'', said Lawrenceson.
A steward who went to the woman's aid had his lip and tongue
split while a 12 year old boy was also slapped about by the RUC.
Newtownbutler nationalists had organised their demonstration
after the Black Perceptory refused to negotiate a solution to the
marches issue and walked away from talks with the residents last
Wednesday.
Residents of the village are to meet on Thursday evening to
discuss a Black Perceptory march in the town this Saturday but
are angry that the Orangemen closed the door on talks last week.
Sunday's RUC action has also angered nationalists who say the
action has left an open wound.
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