RUC special branch target nationalist
Gerry McHugh, SF assembly member for Fermanagh/South Tyrone and
Dungannon Sinn Fein councillor Seamus Flanagan have slammed attempts
to recruit a young Clogher nationalist as an informer.
The latest incident occurred on Monday 7 December when the young man
was stopped by RUC special branch officers at a checkpoint
established for the sole purpose of halting him on his way to work.
At the checkpoint the man was approached by a special branch officer
whom he recognised from previous approaches. The officer told him
that it was a long dark road to his workplace and he should be very
careful `as anything could happen'. The young man refused to
acknowledge the threats and when asked to furnish the police with
information on local republicans he declined and drove off.
This is the seventh time that the same RUC special branch officer has
approached this man.
Gerry McHugh said: ``This targeting of nationalists by the RUC only
serves to further discredit the RUC and to reinforce the nationalist
belief that the RUC is continuing in its role as the paramilitary
wing of unionism''.
He added that this type of activity and intimidation of nationalists
reinforces Sinn Fein's for the disbandment of the RUC as the only
solution to the policing debate.
Mr McHugh appealed for nationalists in similar circumstances to come
forward and speak to their local Sinn Fein councillor or their
solicitor.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)