Republican News · Thursday 30 November 2001

McGuinness to raise injuries with Reid

Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster MP Martin McGuinness has said that he intends to raise the case of one of his constituents, Conal Casey, with the British Secretary of State, John Reid. Casey was seriously injured during his arrest by the RUC/PSNI in County Armagh last week.

"I understand that the Ombudsman, Mrs Nuala O'Loan is investigating the circumstances surrounding serious injuries received by Mr Casey during his arrest by members of the RUC/PSNI last week," said McGuinness.

"Mr Casey was arrested in County Armagh allegedly transporting an explosive device in a car. During his arrest he received serious injuries not consistent with the description of the arrest operation released by the RUC/PSNI. Mr Casey subsequently had to be transferred to the City Hospital in Belfast for treatment of a serious groin injury.

"This incident reinforces republicans contention that we have not attained the new beginning to policing that was promised and that one of the priority matters that need to be addressed immediately is the creation of a mechanism to remove those RUC personnel that have records of human rights abuses from eligibility to transfer into any new police service.

"I am also disappointed at the lack of attention this assault received in the media even though both the man‚s family and my party colleague in Mid-Ulster, Francie Molloy, highlighted it.

"I intend to raise this issue with the British Secretary of State, John Reid at the first opportunity."