TUV Challenges Parades Commission, PSNI and First Minister on Sinn Fein Parade in Dungiven
06 August 2012
Limavady TUV councillor Boyd Douglas has raised serious questions about a Sinn Fein/IRA parade in Dungiven yesterday (Sunday).
Commenting Mr Douglas said:
“Yesterday the town of Dungiven was taken over by Republicans for a terror fest. I was stopped by police officers about a mile outside the village and advised that a demonstration was taking place but there was no police presence in Dungiven itself whatsoever. However, this would not have been apparent to the casual observer as one Republican dressed in an RUC uniform was carrying a rifle while others were dressed in riot gear and carrying batons.
“There were also Republicans on the back of a lorry who appeared to have Self Loading Rifles.
“Whether these were genuine firearms or mock weapons I could not determine. It would also have been impossible for the PSNI to say if the weapons were genuine or not as they were nowhere to be seen!
“This laissez-faire attitude to policing is in stark contrast to the PSNI’s approach to the Loyalist band parade in Limavady on Friday night where there was a very visible police presence. Why the double standards?
“This incident raises serious questions for both the Parades Commission and the PSNI. Why was the parade not even flagged as sensitive by the Parades Commission? Surely they would have known that a march to celebrate the suicidal Kevin Lynch - who was sentenced to 10 years for stealing weapons and taking part in punishment shootings - would be likely to see a celebration of terrorism which would be grossly offensive to the small Protestant minority in the village?
“And why did the PSNI allow Sinn Fein/IRA to effectively police their own parade? Did Republicans have permission to display firearms on the streets and stage mock road blocks?”
TUV leader Jim Allister added:
“These are very serious issues which deserve full and proper investigation. IRA supporters appear to have been bussed into Dungiven from all over Northern Ireland and the Republic to celebrate the exploits of a terrorist. The fact that a Minister in the Stormont Executive – Michelle O’Neill – addressed this event while Martin McGuinness took pride of place in the parade raises serious questions for their partners in government. I will be writing to the First Minister to inquire if he believes the attendance of McGuinness and O’Neill at this event is compatible with the Ministerial Code, particularly the commitment to “non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means”.
“I will also be writing to the PSNI and Parades Commission about the issue”.
