British Army Operation In West Belfast– RNU

national | crime and justice | press release Monday January 10, 2011 22:53 by RNU PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) Spokesperson, MARTIN ÓG MEEHAN has denounced a joint RUC/PSNI and British Army raid today in West Belfast as sinister.

REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) Spokesperson, MARTIN ÓG MEEHAN has denounced a joint RUC/PSNI and British Army raid today in West Belfast as sinister.

Mr. Meehan said; “During an unwarranted raid today on RNU Ard Chomhairle member, Carl Reilly's Belfast workplace. The RUC/PSNI seized Christmas cards sent to Political Prisoners from the USA, included in them were small donations in US dollars to the children of Republican POWs’. As they were being taken, Carl protested that it clearly for the families of prisoners and there was no need to take them.

The RUC/PSNI responded with racist and mocking comments at the expense of two POWs’ whose names were written on the envelopes, including Colin Duffy whom they said; ‘would be in a simmer frame before he sees daylight again’. The so-called civic Police went onto make bigoted noises about Republican prisoner, Willie Wong with loud kung-fu sounds!

This incident took place close to the Belfast office of Coiste Na NIarchimí, where a number of its Staff ventured outside to observe the scene. Therefore, it was quite surprising that none of its welfare workers did not enquire how Carl (a former political Prisoner himself) was.

Without warning, a number of men entered the premises dressed in black military fatigues with highly technical equipment used to scan the building for ‘hides’. When inquires were made, as to their identity the questions were ignored. It was not until the end of the raid that Carl was given a search document that revealed RUC/PSNI Tactical Support Groups from Mahon Rd and New Barnsley Barracks were involved. A footnote stated that the others were members of a British army Regiment.

The Republican Network for Unity denounce today’s raid as an intensification of harassment against our Activists and dependants of Political Prisoners. In spite of this, RNU will continue to campaign on behalf of Republican objectives and we will not be deterred. As with all the raids against our members home and workplaces, NOTHING was found proves the existence and abuse of political policing”.

Mr. Meehan concluded; “the inclusion of the British military in West Belfast again underlines the disturbing reality behind British Policing Operations in the Six Counties. Yet again, more proof, if any were needed that the British military still play an active role alongside the RUC/PSNI in their pathetic attempts to deter Republicans from expressing their opposition to foreign rule. RNU calls on all Republicans who are opposed to a foreign police service to unite in their opposition against Crown constabulary boards and partnerships and British repression”.