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

Sinn Féin meets with PSNI over heavy handed raids

Published: 26 August, 2008

Sinn Féin Councillors and DPP members Brendan Curran, Colman Burns and Packie McDonald have recently met with PSNI District Commander Sam Cordner and Inspector David Beck to discuss the nature of recent raids in South Armagh.

DPP Chairperson Brendan Curran explained that it was felt that there was a very heavy handed approach taken by the PSNI during the recent raids in South Armagh. He outlined complaints that the doors of 80 year old pensioners were barged in at six in the morning, and that laneways were blocked which prevented people from going to work.

Councillor Curran said,

"Many people in the area feel that this was an unacceptable form of policing and not the behaviour that the people deserve. Sinn Féin members of the policing board have received a multitude of complaints from families subjected to these heavy handed arrests.

"It was also put forward to us that many of the people arrested had presented themselves voluntarily to the PSNI and were willing to do so again; there was no need to smash in their doors at six in the morning."

"We have received assurances that these complaints will be investigated and dealt with. Sinn Féin also demanded that the next DPP public meeting should take place in South Armagh so that the people of the area can put forward their concerns to the PSNI"