“This is totally unacceptable.”
The Northern Ireland Executive’s Agriculture Minister, Sinn Féin’s Michelle Gildernew, MP, MLA, has complained to the Republic of Ireland’s government that, “The PSNI have refused to provide information about the extent and nature of the Loyalist death threats against me and other party members in the Fermanagh area. This conceivably heightens the risk because I am unable to take preventative measures. This is totally unacceptable.” Presumably that would be the threats referred to here and the fire mentioned here. This report includes the PSNI response
A PSNI spokeswoman said: “We do not discuss the security of individuals, but where we feel there is a need we will advise them of their security. If she is unhappy she should contact the Police Ombudsman’s office.”
Seems incredible.
Michelle calls for greater co-operation with the police…..an interesting one if nothing else.
So the PNSI doesn’t feel there is a need to advise them of their security.
Imagine the fallout if an incident occurred now!
This would seem motivating in itself. A change to attack republicans and discredit the PNSI.
So it’s ok to report this particular crime to the police then? :p
“If she is unhappy she should contact the Police Ombudsman’s office.â€
and we all know how RUC/PSNI/UVF/MI5 officers cooperate with the police ombundsman’s office
Of course threats to Gildernew are completely unacceptable and immoral. I have no time for this woman’s politics but such threats are utterly wrong and to be roundly condemned.
It is particularly disappionting that this has occured in Lisnaskea. The unionist community of Fermanagh suffered disproportionately during the troubles and thankfully there were very few incidents of loyalist violence.
i think that Turgon would need to do a bit more research into the history of loyalists in fermanagh, the loyalists of fermanagh operated under a wide range of disguises. the RUC,UDR/RIR AND BRITISH ARMY all colluded with loyalists forces for the whole period of the conflict in a period of harassment, intimidation and murder for some of its citizens. catch your self on turgon its time the unionists/loyalists would admit to there roll in the conflict.
Took about the usual length of time for the WHATABOUTERY to appear.
It sounds as if standard PSNI procedure has been followed. It isn’t a very informative approach – standard A4 sheet with limited information and a small handbook on security advice – but everyone gets the same.
It’d have been more useful to have complained to the Ombudsman and/or got reps on the Policing Board to seek a review of the procedures.
Kojak
“i think that Turgon would need to do a bit more research into the history of loyalists in fermanagh”
Research is a good educator. From the Sutton Index.
112 conflict related deaths in Fermanagh
97 PIRA
7 Army
2 UVF
2 UFF
2 Attributed to Loyalists
1 RUC
1 Not Known
I’m a little disappointed Fair Deal.
Those numbers you give are certainly worth knowing and remembering but, by quoting them on this thread, you may be encouraging more of Kojak’s whataboutery, something that I thought the Slugger Team generally frowned upon.
Joe:
It would seem that FD’s post highlights there is little to no WHAT in Kojacks WHATABOUTRY.
JC
Independent information can be a good cure to someone wanting to go down the whataboutery road.
Points taken.
I guess there is a line between fact based refutation and risking more whataboutery.
speaking as someone from fermanagh and whos family has experienced the harassment and intimidation of the loyalists and british army i was making the point the unionists of fermanagh were not the innocent party that TURGON was claiming, it was a conflict and several organisations were involved. is it a going to be a case of we only killed 4 in fermanagh you killed 97 therfor we have the moral high ground? one killing is to much. i dont think that is a WHATABOUTERY.
Kojak,
I am not from Fermanagh but my wife’s family all are and we are very likely moving back soon. I do not and would never minimise the saddness of anyone’s death. One daeth is one too many. Do not start this. We can all start a gastly discussion about what the IRA did in Fermanagh and elsewhere and you can chip in a few utterly wrong murders.
Alternatively you can accept that what happened to Gildernew was wrong as were all the murders. You choose which game you want to play.
speaking as someone from fermanagh and whos family has experienced the harassment and intimidation of the loyalists and british army i was making the point the unionists of fermanagh were not the innocent party that TURGON was claiming, it was a conflict and several organisations were involved. is it a going to be a case of we only killed 4 in fermanagh you killed 97 therfor we have the moral high ground? one killing is to much. i dont think that is a WHATABOUTERY.
Posted by kojak on Sep 21, 2007 @ 11:38 PM
Kojak:
No fair minded person would argue otherwise, and in this case you make the valid point that there is little to no innocence in Northern Ireland.
While many will highlight Gildernews’ hypocrisy with this statement, its the treat of violence her office has been faced with that needs to be condemned and the PSNI needs to take action at the very least as a confidence building measure for their detractors.
“and we all know how RUC/PSNI/UVF/MI5 officers cooperate with the police ombundsman’s office”
why don’t you include the B Specials, black and tans or even the roundheads. Republicans are happy to live in the past when it suits them.
Incredible that after incurring republican wrath to appease unionists during the last FMD outbreak when Michelle referred to the state of “Northern Ireland” ad nausem that she now ends up so poorly serviced by the force she encourages other nationalists to join.
Yet another clear example of the shoddy McGuinness/Adams autocracy not looking before they lept on the PSNI isuue….
‘its time the unionists/loyalists would admit to there roll in the conflict….’
Barely literate nonsense of course.
Threats on Gildernew are completely wrong despite her general odiousness to the Unionist community. The point which has been made is that unionists are entitled to a wry smile when they read about an IRA apologist who has been less than candid about providing the police with information criticising the same police for not protecting her. You can’t have rights without responsibilities. Or at least you don’t deserve them.
Or does the irony escape Republicans online?
While certainly the PSNI have a duty to protect anyone who feels threatened they cannot do their jobs if the victim is less than forthcoming with the details.
Looks like its all been said and done here people- adios.