Bloody Sunday, election, Irish, Ireland, British, Ulster, Unionist, Sinn Féin, SDLP, Ahern, Blair, Irish America

(by Suzanne Breen, Sunday Tribune)

The Family Planning Association has criticised police for not informing it that counterfeit condoms had been seized in the North. The organisation said the contraceptive scam could have life-threatening implications for anyone buying the merchandise.

Speaking at the launch of the annual report of the Organised Crime Task Force, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable, Hugh Orde, said fake condoms had been seized.

Despite being contacted twice, the PSNI did not make details available to the Sunday Tribune about the number of condoms seized, where they were found, or whether criminals or paramilitaries were behind the scam.

The director of the North's Family Planning Association, Audrey Simpson, said: "We have not been contacted by the PSNI about this. It is worrying that perhaps the PSNI have not taken into account the potential serious consequences for anyone who is unfortunate enough to buy these fake condoms.

"The potential consequences include a crisis pregnancy, a sexually transmitted infection which can have long-term health implications, and of course HIV which can have life-threatening consequences.

"It we had been told about the situation by the PSNI we could have informed callers to our helpline and young people with whom we work in the community."

This article appeared in the July 9, 2006 edition of the Sunday Tribune.

HOME