Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

PSNI early morning raids in South Armagh are unacceptable - Sinn Féin

Published: 3 November, 2009

South Armagh Sinn Féin councillor and DPP member, Colman Burns, has described the early morning arrests of a number of women in the locality as 'unacceptable and no way for a policing service seeking to gain the support of this community to be conducting their business'.

Cllr Burns said;

"A number of women, some with young children, were arrested at 7.30 this morning over alleged voting irregularities. They have since been released.

"Children were forced to be taken to neighbours' homes. There is no excuse for the traumatic experience endured by these children this morning, watching their mothers being taken away by armed police.

"Let me be very clear. This PSNI operation was unacceptable and no way for a policing service seeking to gain the support of this community to be conducting their business.

"Arrangements could easily have been made for these women to present themselves at the local barracks and proper childcare arrangements could have been put in place. The fact that the women have been released so quickly speaks volumes.

"There was no need and no justification for the use of dozens of armed officers in this operation.

"I have raised this matter with the PSNI and will continue to pursue the issue at all levels within the DPP and Policing Board. The PSNI need to know that our communities will support impartial and effective community policing but we will not tolerate any slippage towards the policing failures of the past."