DPP member resigns over death threat

An independent member of the Fermanagh District Policing Partnership (DPP) has been forced to resign after receiving a death from dissident republicans.

Mr Cathal O'Dolan resigned on Thursday after a threat was made on his life in a call to a local newspaper earlier in the week.

Condemning the threat, Fermanagh South Tyrone MP Michelle Gildernew, said the warning was a "matter of concern" which had nothing to offer towards Irish unification.

"While Sinn Féin is opposed to the current policing arrangements, threatening members will not bring about the changes required to reach the Patten threshold or signal that we finally have a new beginning to policing," she said.

SDLP policing spokesperson, Alex Attwood also condemned the death threat. He said: "A small faction of dissidents will not undo the policing opportunities that have been created. Their despicable behaviour and continued violation of people's human right's is in stark contrast to the good work being carried out by those working to move policing forward."

Although no one has admitted responsibility for the death threat, it is believed the threat came from the Real IRA.

In a statement issued on behalf of Mr O'Dolan from the DPP's chairman, Ulster Unionist councillor Tom Elliot, he said he had no alternative but to resign.

(MB)