PSNI brutality
PSNI assault claims
By Connla Young c.young@dailyireland.com
The Police Ombudsman will today be asked to investigate allegations of brutality against the PSNI after nationalist protesters and a Sinn Féin assemblyman were injured during a weekend loyalist parade in Ballymena, Co Antrim.
Ciaran Shiels, a solicitor with Belfast based Madden and Finucane Solicitors, last night confirmed that he will contact the Police Ombudsman’s Office on behalf of several clients later today.
It is understood the allegations against the PSNI include serious assault, use of batons, use of police dogs, criminal damage and sectarian abuse.
In a violent series of incidents described as “provocative, intimidating and sectarian”, a group of nationalist protesters say they were set on by heavily-armed members of a PSNI riot squad on Saturday during a loyalist parade through a nationalist part of the Co Antrim town.
Protesters say they were attacked by baton-wielding members of the PSNI in two separate incidents.
One man later required hospital treatment for serious head injuries. He is expected to appear at Coleraine Magistrate’s Court this morning charged with disorderly behaviour.
It has also been claimed that another man was beaten by two PSNI officers and bitten by a police dog in a nearby garden. Several protesters have claimed that they were called ‘Fenian bastards’ by PSNI officers during the incident.
In total, three people were arrested during the clashes.
Nationalist politicians, including Sinn Féin’s Philip McGuigan, who says he was kicked and verbally abused by a PSNI officer, and the SDLP’s Sean Farren and members of the Parades Commission were present to monitor the behaviour of bands and supporters taking part in a parade to mark the 30th anniversary of the Pride of the Maine band.
A small group of nationalists also gathered to protest at the parade passing through a mainly Catholic part of the predominantly unionist town.
Nationalists say the protest was running smoothly until bandsmen emerged onto the Market Street area of the town. PSNI officers in armoured Land Rovers are then said to have blockaded roads running alongside All Saints Catholic church and attacked bystanders with batons. A short time later a second and sustained baton charge was launched at the Broughshane Road district of the town resulting in injuries to a number of protesters.
North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan says he will today lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman about the PSNI’s behaviour.
“What I witnessed on Saturday night was reminiscent of the scenes at Burntollet during the early civil rights campaign. It is obvious that nationalists in Ballymena are still fighting that campaign to gain their civil rights. The police operation was an absolute disgrace. The PSNI, in my opinion, acted in a sectarian manner. It was clearly evident that they wanted to provoke trouble.
“I have requested an urgent meeting with both the Parades Commission and the Police Ombudsman to discuss Saturday night’s events.”
North Antrim SDLP assemblyman Sean Farren called for talks to resolve the parades issue in Ballymena.
“It is clear that new thinking is starting about these parades. We have achieved that much. The presence of an authorised officer from the Parades Commission is welcome. The process of further discussion now needs to continue.”
Tensions in the town remained high for a number of hours after the parade which didn’t end until after 11pm.
A spokesperson for the PSNI said they have not received any complaints relating to Saturday night’s incident.
