British army and RUC slammed in Derry
Sinn Féin Shantallow Councillor Tony Hasson has criticised the
activity of the RUC and British Army, whom he accused of
harassing nationalist children in the area. The incident
happened on Monday 21 July and was, he said ``a typical military
response to the IRA's restoration of the 1994 cessation''.
Hasson described how crown forces rampaged through the estate,
chasing and threatening to arrest children at whom they were
hurling sectarian abuse. Their rampage lasted over two hours they
also abused local people travelling to Carnhill bingo hall.
``These activities show the bigoted nature of the crown forces and
they should to be withdrawn from nationalist areas now'' said
Hasson.
Residents in the Fernabbey and Sandbank areas in Derry have also
complained to Sinn Fein about the crown forces who ``cynically
used young children as human shields while on patrol in the
area''.
Concerned local residents say British soldiers patrolling in the
area frequently send children through gates and fences, using
them as cover.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday 17 July when residents
witnessed the children accompanying the patrol which had just
been dropped into nearby fields. It emerged later the British
forces asked the children to go with them as they moved across
the fields.
One child confirmed the soldiers had let the children play with
their guns, and had shown them lead and plastic bullets and
reported that one soldier told the children that if the IRA
appeared ``we will use you as a shield.''
Sinn Fein Six-County Chairperson Gearóid O hEara slated the
behaviour of the British Army: ``In one case the occupants of a
helicopter which dropped off a large number of troops asked three
young boys of 10 and 11 to accompany them through the fields.''
O hEara accused the British forces of enticing the children to
meet them later so that they could once more be used to ensure
safe passage.
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