Farren claims SF encouraging 'direct confrontation'

A senior SDLP representative has accused Sinn Fein of orchestrating republican violence against security forces and members of the wider community.

The SDLP's North Antrim assembly member, and Finance Minister in the Executive, Sean Farren accused Sinn Fein of misleading the electorate and being actively involved in organising disturbances.

He further accused Sinn Fein of "encouraging direct confrontation with the police and with members of the loyalist community" in Ballymena, Moyle and Ballymoney.

Mr Farren said: "Whilst trying to present themselves as protecting nationalist interests and nationalists communities throughout the constituency, Sinn Fein activists have been doing the exact opposite.

"Copying the behaviour of loyalist thugs who have been responsible for many attacks on school and churches in North Antrim is no excuse. On the contrary, such behaviour places our communities at serious risk of further violence and even greater division.

"If Sinn Fein members are sincere about promoting genuine community relations based on respect for our different traditions then they would need to think twice about the path they are following," he added.

Previously, Sinn Fein contended that heavy-handed policing and anti-agreement elements within loyalism had been fuelling the recent unrest, and last weekend party chairman Mitchel McLaughlin called on Police Ombudsman Nuala O'Loan to "initiate an investigation into Short Strand policing".

Mr McLaughlin then called for political parties to create a "united front against sectarianism" to tackle interface violence. He also proposed that independent monitors be sent in to patrol flashpoints and detail the sequence of events.

However, Mr Farren questioned Sinn Fein's intentions and suggested that continued disturbances would have serious consequences for the Good Friday Agreement.

"Nationalists want to see the Good Friday Agreement working to bring benefits to all, not domination by one community over the other… It is for this reason that Sinn Fein needs to urgently rethink its policies and where could be leading," he said.

Over the weekend, six more police officers were injured during rioting in east Belfast.

The officers were hit by various missiles including fireworks, bricks, bottles and bolts as they tried to keep rival factions apart close to the area of Clandeboye Gardens and Cluan Place.

(GMcG)