RUC informer recruitment fails
Ardoyne mother has been approached by the RUC who tried to
recruit her to inform on republicans in the area.
Eimear Harrison said the approach was made when she visited
Oldpark RUC station to deal with a relative's motoring offence.
Harrison, who works in a taxi depot in the Ardoyne area, told An
Phoblacht that the RUC told her that the whole matter ``could be
swept under the carpet'' if he passed on information about some of
the taxi drivers and other republicans in her area. The RUC also
asked her about her job, her wages and about her boyfriend and
members of her family but when Harrison refused to pass on
information she was warned that the conversation was to go no
further.
The RUC have refused to comment on this specific case but in a
general policy statement said, ``Police require information and
ultimately evidence if they are to be successful in protecting
life and property.''
Harrison was visibly shaken by the incident and said it had made
her fearful and paranoid. Sinn Fein councillor Michael Brown
accused the RUC of picking on vulnerable people and working to a
military agenda. ``I would appeal to anyone who finds themselves
in a similar situation to approach any member of Sinn Fein to let
us know.''
In Fermanagh there has been several attempts made by the RUC and
British Intelligence services to recruit informants from within
the nationalist community. A number of young people have been
offered substantial sums of money or were assured that charges
against them would be dropped if they passed on information about
republicans in the area.
Fermanagh Sinn Fein Councillor, Brian McCaffrey, said ``These
incidents call into question the commitment of not only the RUC
and Intelligence Services but also the British Government to the
Peace Process. These are not the actions of those who are working
for peace. They are the actions of those who are planning to make
war.''
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