Republican News · Thursday 6 March 2003

PSNI harass Sinn Féin councillor

Newry Sinn Féin councillor Davy Hyland has complained he was stopped and detained in Crossmaglen by members of the PSNI and British Army on Wednesday night, 26 February, after a Council Forum meeting in Crossmaglen.

"Ironically, the main purpose of this meeting was to discuss peace and reconciliation within the community," said Hyland. "Members of the unionist, republican and nationalist communities locally have met regularly for a number of years past to discuss everyday problems and to allow each other to hear the concerns and anxieties affecting each group.

"After leaving the meeting, I was stopped immediately outside the building along with two other people in my car by members of the PSNI and British Army. The PSNI behaved in a very sarcastic and derogatory manner whilst we were detained and questioned at the roadside for some ten minutes. They attempted to intimidate the driver by suggesting that her tax disc was technically illegally displayed because it was tilted at an angle. This petty harassment once again proves that this force is not out on the streets to protect those living in the area.

"They appear content to continue harassing republican and nationalist members of this community, while all around us the elderly in society live in fear of being attacked and robbed and anti-social behaviour is a nightly occurrence in most areas. This is not an example of proper, acceptable policing.

"The PSNI have secured the support of members of the SDLP but they remain an unacceptable force to the vast majority within the nationalist community. Sinn Féin will continue to seek a policing service which is both accountable to and representative of the community it wishes to serve and support."