Over 50 complaints about the behaviour of the Police Service of Northern
Ireland (PSNI) during the past week's loyalist violence have been made to
Police Ombudsman, Nuala O'Loan.
The complaints are from both sides of the community, with loyalists alleging
PSNI heavy-handedness and Catholic claims of police inaction against
loyalist trouble-makers, particularly those mounting illegal roadblocks.
The Ombudsman's office said complaints from loyalists included alleged
assaults by police and allegations the PSNI used loud-speakers to abuse
protestors.
Nuala O'Loan told the Sunday Tribune: "All complaints will be dealt with in
an independent and impartial manner. We expect to be very busy." Her office
will examine film footage of events from both the police and local
communities.
She will also investigate the PSNI's firing of 450 plastic bullets and six
live rounds during disturbances. The British Army fired 600 plastic bullets
but its activities don't fall under the Ombudsman's remit.
Lisburn Magistrates court yesterday heard that a 14-year-old Catholic
schoolboy allegedly joined loyalist rioters to attack the security forces.
The teenager, who can't be named for legal reasons, was allegedly videotaped
throwing stones at police and British soldiers last Monday.
A defence lawyer said it seemed "unbelievable" that he would have been
involved given the allegiances of those behind the disturbances. The
teenager was released on bail and ordered to stay indoors from 6-8 pm.
The DUP has raised Provisional IRA activity with Northern Secretary, Peter
Hain. The DUP said allegations by the family of Robert McCartney that IRA
members had last week brutally beaten Jeff Commander, a friend of their
brother's, could not be ignored.
An alleged IRA death threat against a dissident republican has also been
raised with Hain. Brendan Shannon, a former IRA prisoner who opposes Sinn
Féin's political strategy and IRA decommissioning, says he was threatened by
a member of the Provisionals' general headquarters (GHQ) staff.
Shannon claims the alleged threat was made last weekend when nationalists
gathered on the Springfield Road during the controversial Orange Order
parade. "I'm writing to Gerry Adams, asking him to clarify the situation
with the Provisional IRA and to see if he will take a stand because he has
said he won't tolerate thuggery," Shannon said.
SDLP leader, Mark Durkan, has accused unionist leaders of "almost
soliciting" loyalist violence. He strongly criticised the language of the
Rev Ian Paisley and Reg Empey and said it appeared the loyalist paramilitary
tail was almost wagging the unionist dog.
A loyalist protest was held in the Donegall Road area of south Belfast
yesterday. Meanwhile, loyalists are planning a huge march from the Shankill
to Belfast city-centre next month. Orangemen and victims' groups will be
among those taking part.
The demonstration coincides with the 12th anniversary of the Shankill bomb
in which nine Protestant civilians were killed. It will leave from the site
of the explosion. It has been organised as part of the 'Love Ulster'
campaign and the organisers said it would be well stewarded and peaceful.
