McCartney calls for the suspension and prosecution of PSNI personnel
Published: 28 June, 2005
Sinn Féin Assembly Member, Raymond McCartney has called for the immediate suspension of the PSNI personnel who were seen on the UTV Insight programme physically assaulting members of the public. Mr McCartney has written to Nuala O’Loan’s office seeking an urgent meeting to address the issues relating to this incident.
Commenting on the TV images Mr McCartney said:
“Like most people I was enraged to once more see the footage of a vicious assault by a members of the PSNI on a number of young Derry people. This is further compounded by the fact that these same personnel remain on duty. Sinn Féin has requested a meeting with the Ombudsman Nuala O’Loan and we will use the meeting to raise a number of crucial questions.”
Mr McCartney went on to outline the questions he has raised in the letter which Sinn Féin has sent to Mrs O’Loan.
· “Did the Ombudsman seek the immediate suspension of the personnel involved?
· If not, then why not?
· If suspensions were asked for - then why was the request ignored?
Mr McCartney also stated that he will be drawing to the attention of Mrs O’Loan the report that her office commissioned on the use of batons by the PSNI.
Mr McCartney concluded:
Those who claim that the PSNI are now being held to account have serious questions to answer in relation to this incident. It appears to me that there is only one course of action possible and that is the immediate suspension of these personnel and their prosecution for assault and battery.” ENDS
