RNU Disgust at Joint MI5/British Army and PSNI intimidation

national | crime and justice | press release Wednesday June 29, 2011 13:01 by RNU PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY Spokesperson, MARTIN ÓG MEEHAN has expressed his disgust at the joint MI5/British Army and PSNI intimidation of Republican families outside Banbridge on Sunday 26 June, 2011.

REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY Spokesperson, MARTIN ÓG MEEHAN has expressed his disgust at the joint MI5/British Army and PSNI intimidation of Republican families outside Banbridge on Sunday 26 June, 2011.

Mr. Meehan explained; ‘What should have been an informative and enjoyable day trip from Belfast to Dublin’s Killmhanam Gaol turned into a nightmare for RNU Activists and their families, after the RUC/PSNI in a convoy of vehicles demanded the driver of the coach to stop on the A1 Motorway, just outside Banbridge, County Down. Immediately after he stopped, a number of hostile Tactical Support Group (TSG) members boarded the bus and ordered all 21 passengers off whilst brandishing heavy weapons, constantly screaming abuse at terrified children.

Outside, the families were surrounded by a fifty strong TSG team, ordered them not to move at gunpoint. Some of the children wet themselves with fear (the youngest just three years-old) and clung to their parents crying in fear. A senior RUC/PSNI man, identified three plain clothes figures who remained at the scene throughout as those in charge. These three men also preferred gesturing to speaking, possibly because of their English accents.

Everyone, including senior citizens and the children were forcibly searched, swabbed for firearm residue and explosives by a forensic squad dressed in black boiler suits who identified themselves as; 'Army'. The passengers were also videoed, photographed and detained at the roadside for over two hours under the much abused 'Section 24 Anti-Terror' legislation.

Concerned onlookers and a number of friends who witnessed the deplorable incident were subsequently threatened by the RUC/PSNI and turned away at gunpoint. Mothers complained at the childrens mistreatment but some wept after the unreformed RUC dismissed their justified concerns. Fathers expressed their anger at the unwarranted ‘security operation’ that destroyed an enjoyable family day out. After of course finding nothing on the driver and passengers, the British soldiers tore the coach asunder. Even removing fixed seating and swabbing them outside but left the bus empty handed’.

Meehan concluded; ‘This shameful incident clearly illustrates the gross harassment of Republican Activists and their families. Compare Sunday’s brutal mistreatment of Republican families, with the RUC/PSNI refusal to stop a sectarian pogrom against the Short Strand last week. It also demonstrates the unchanged nature of RUC/PSNI, MI5 and British Army collusion in the Six Counties. The RUC/PSNI are not a reformed police force - it was and is, the same British political police force forced upon the community for decades'.