Menu
28/10/2002
Sinn Féin meet with Police Ombudsman over Stormont raid
The Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan will meet with Sinn Fein's Conor Murphy today over the PSNI raid on the party's Stormont offices last week.
The meeting was called after police swooped on Sinn Fein's Stormont offices on October 4 as part of an investigation into alleged intelligence gathering by republican terrorists inside the NIO. Whilst police raids on north and west Belfast on the same morning yielded hundreds of documents, only two computer disks were taken from the offices by police. The disks have since been returned.
Denis Donaldson, Sinn Fein head of administration at the assembly, was arrested during the raids and is currently on remand.
During his meeting with Mrs O'Loan, the Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh assembly member restated his party's position that the raid was part of an "elaborately choreographed performance for the media". Mr Murphy further accused the police of carrying out a "heavy-handed attack on democratic institutions".
"This raid begs a number of questions. Who authorised this assault on the democratic institutions? What did the PSNI hope to achieve by carrying out this raid? Why did the PSNI arrive with the media in tow?" he said.
The Sinn Fein assembly group leader also said that two members of the party have lodged formal complaints with the Ombudsman's office.
He added: "Clearly the PSNI had no intention of searching Sinn Fein offices but were instead involved in a piece of political theatre. As we look at yet another suspension we must be aware of he damage that has been done to these institutions by the politically motivated actions of the PSNI."
Special Branch and British internal intelligence agency MI5 are carrying out further investigations over suspicions that an IRA mole is still operating inside the NIO.
Allegations of terrorist infiltration of government offices emerged again last week after a biography of veteran IRA leader Joe Cahill said that the IRA had been tipped off about the re-introduction of internment in August 1971.
(GMcG)
The meeting was called after police swooped on Sinn Fein's Stormont offices on October 4 as part of an investigation into alleged intelligence gathering by republican terrorists inside the NIO. Whilst police raids on north and west Belfast on the same morning yielded hundreds of documents, only two computer disks were taken from the offices by police. The disks have since been returned.
Denis Donaldson, Sinn Fein head of administration at the assembly, was arrested during the raids and is currently on remand.
During his meeting with Mrs O'Loan, the Sinn Fein Newry and Armagh assembly member restated his party's position that the raid was part of an "elaborately choreographed performance for the media". Mr Murphy further accused the police of carrying out a "heavy-handed attack on democratic institutions".
"This raid begs a number of questions. Who authorised this assault on the democratic institutions? What did the PSNI hope to achieve by carrying out this raid? Why did the PSNI arrive with the media in tow?" he said.
The Sinn Fein assembly group leader also said that two members of the party have lodged formal complaints with the Ombudsman's office.
He added: "Clearly the PSNI had no intention of searching Sinn Fein offices but were instead involved in a piece of political theatre. As we look at yet another suspension we must be aware of he damage that has been done to these institutions by the politically motivated actions of the PSNI."
Special Branch and British internal intelligence agency MI5 are carrying out further investigations over suspicions that an IRA mole is still operating inside the NIO.
Allegations of terrorist infiltration of government offices emerged again last week after a biography of veteran IRA leader Joe Cahill said that the IRA had been tipped off about the re-introduction of internment in August 1971.
(GMcG)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2024
Drugs, Paraphernalia And Cash Seized In L'Derry Searches
Suspected Class B drugs with an estimated street value of £10,000 has been seized during a search operation in the Waterside are of L'Derry on Monday, 08 April. District Support Team (DST) officers made the seizures, assisted by Tactical Support Group colleagues, during two searches at addresses yesterday morning.
Drugs, Paraphernalia And Cash Seized In L'Derry Searches
Suspected Class B drugs with an estimated street value of £10,000 has been seized during a search operation in the Waterside are of L'Derry on Monday, 08 April. District Support Team (DST) officers made the seizures, assisted by Tactical Support Group colleagues, during two searches at addresses yesterday morning.
19 March 2024
Appeal Following Serious Assault And Robbery In Antrim
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed in Antrim during the early hours of Monday, 18 March. The 26-year-old was walking in an alleyway adjacent to Seacash Drive at around 3.50am when he was approached by two men.
Appeal Following Serious Assault And Robbery In Antrim
PSNI detectives have issued an appeal for information and witnesses after a man was assaulted and robbed in Antrim during the early hours of Monday, 18 March. The 26-year-old was walking in an alleyway adjacent to Seacash Drive at around 3.50am when he was approached by two men.
22 February 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With 1992 Police Officer Murder
A 59-year-old man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport in connection with a fatal mortar attack in Newry in 1992. The man was arrested on Wednesday, 21 February by detectives from PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in 1992.
Man Arrested In Connection With 1992 Police Officer Murder
A 59-year-old man has been arrested at Birmingham Airport in connection with a fatal mortar attack in Newry in 1992. The man was arrested on Wednesday, 21 February by detectives from PSNI's Legacy Investigation Branch, investigating the murder of Constable Colleen McMurray and the attempted murder of her colleague in 1992.
14 February 2024
Former City Centre Police Station To Become New 74-Bedroom Hotel
A former police station in Belfast city centre is to be redeveloped for a new 74-bedroom hotel. Belfast City Council's Planning Committee approved the development on Queen Street, along with granting Listed Building Consent to bring the building into use again.
Former City Centre Police Station To Become New 74-Bedroom Hotel
A former police station in Belfast city centre is to be redeveloped for a new 74-bedroom hotel. Belfast City Council's Planning Committee approved the development on Queen Street, along with granting Listed Building Consent to bring the building into use again.
26 January 2024
Man Seriously Injured In Collision With Police Car
A man, aged in his 50s, has suffered serious leg injuries following a collision with a police car in east Belfast in the early hours of this morning, Friday 26 January. Shortly after 5.
Man Seriously Injured In Collision With Police Car
A man, aged in his 50s, has suffered serious leg injuries following a collision with a police car in east Belfast in the early hours of this morning, Friday 26 January. Shortly after 5.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Much of the day will be dry with some hazy sunshine. Thickening cloud will bring some patchy rain from the southwest later in the afternoon. Warm. Maximum temperature 17 °C.Tonight:This evening will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, these clearing away towards midnight. Then the rest of the night will be dry with clear periods. Minimum temperature 12 °C.
