Rebranded RUC Brutally Attack Republicans in Ardoyne

national | crime and justice | press release Saturday March 05, 2011 14:11 by RNU PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

Republican Network for Unity (RNU) Spokesperson; MARTIN OG MEEHAN has expressed serious concerns about the increase of RUC/PSNI brutality and harassment of recent days in North Belfast.

Republican Network for Unity (RNU) Spokesperson; MARTIN OG MEEHAN has expressed serious concerns about the increase of RUC/PSNI brutality and harassment of recent days in North Belfast.

Mr. Meehan said; 'The Republican community of Ardoyne buried local Ex-POW, Peter (Skeet) Hamilton with great dignity on Thursday March 3, 2011. It was a great display of unity to witness thousands of Republicans paying their respects to Skeet and his family.

Within hours of his funeral however, RUC/PSNI stormtroopers were waiting outside Peter's wake where they verbally abused a number of Republicans before brutally attacking and arresting them as they attempted to make their way home. The four Republicans were taken to Lisburn Barracks and held overnight before being charged with allegedly assaulting the officers that initially attacked them without reason.

In a statement to the media, the British Police told blatant lies saying that they had 'intervened in a fight between rival groups in Ardoyne' and arrested four men. The Republican Network for Unity refute the RUC/PSNI version of events as the beatings and arrests are an integral part of Britain's continued role in policing in the occupied Six Counties.

RNU utterly condemn the tactics deployed by the RUC/PSNI by deviously waiting for people who are mourning the loss of a comrade. People should be allowed to say goodbye to a comrade without political policing. Their skulking presence at Skeets wake yet again shows that even in death, the RUC/PSNI will interfere.

Mr Meehan, a friend of Skeet concluded, "despite bully-boy tactics, RNU will continue to expose the true nature of political policing which is designed to intimidate, silence and criminalise Republican Activists and communities'".