Warning over political policing in 26 Counties

Posted by Jim on May 25, 2015

The Republican Network for Unity has warned that a policy of selective
internment is now being used against republicans by the state forces in
the 26 counties.

Their statement follows a recent ‘crackdown’ against republicans ahead
of the visit to the state of British royals Charles and Camilla.

“This policy is being used as a means to attempt to break the spirit and
determination of the Republican community,” said RNU spokesperson Ann
McParland. “The recent arrests and the subsequent internment of three
individuals… only serves as a constant reminder of the 26 county
government’s active participation in what is a British government
agenda.”

There is a dark history of imprisoning republicans without trial in the
26 County state, from the 1920’s through the 1970’s, and up until the
present day.

Ms McParland said there had been a return of a “policy of persecution”
and the “normalisation of the infringement of the republican community’s
human rights”. This had been cemented by a recent Supreme Court ruling
to allow the use of evidence gathered illegally.

“The very fact that any republican who engages in electoral work and or
any form of political activism can have charges levied against them,
coupled with the fact that the word of [a police superintendent] is
enough to have you interned, is evidence of the state endorsed campaign
against the Republican community.”

She also called on Sinn Fein and others to “examine their conscience in
relation to the blatant targeting and continuous persecution of
republican individuals and their families through the policy of
political policing.

“The electorate must question the intentions of the current
administration in relation to powers being afforded to Gardai at the
moment to suppress any alternative political voice or opinion.”

The arrest of the RNU chairperson in the Strabane area this week was
also being linked to the agenda of political policing across the island.

“The man who lives with his wife and three children was hauled away by
the RUC/PSNI as armed thugs marauded through his home,” the group said.

“The over-the-top security operation, recognisable to republicans
throughout Ireland, was both unneeded and unnecessary. The state militia
occupied the RNU activist’s home, distressing his young family for over
six hours.

“This comes after a wave of RUC/PSNI and British Army harassment
directed against RNU members and their families in recent weeks, often
involving destructive house raids, stop and searches along with futile
arrests.”