Derry DPP Meeting Abandoned

A District Policing Partnership (DPP) meeting in Londonderry had to be abandoned last night after a protest by dissident republicans.

About 50 people blew horns and chanted slogans at the meeting in the Guildhall on Wednesday evening.

Following the disruption at the meeting, held in the Guildhall, the Acting Chairman of the NI Policing Board, Brian Rea has condemned the incident: "People have the right to protest but the disruption at the Derry DPP meeting last night is an attack on the democratic process.

"The DPP holds these public meetings to provide local people with a platform to engage with the police and discuss issues of concern in the area," he said.

This particular meeting was focusing on home safety advice for older people and they were denied this important opportunity: "No group has the right to prevent people from attending such meetings and being able to conduct business in a dignified manner free from fear and intimidation," the Chairman continued.

"I would encourage those who caused this disruption, which resulted in the meeting being abandoned, to instead take the opportunity to contribute to the debate."

The dissident grouping behind the rally said there were between 60 and 70 protestors involved and insisted its purpose was to challenge local politicians who "cosy up" with the PSNI.

(BMcC/`GK)