Tag Archives: PSNI

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An improvised grenade launcher claimed by the ‘IRA’ to have been used to attack the PSNI in North Belfast

Police officers guarding a notorious interface say they have been left like “sitting ducks” following a surge in dissident republican attacks, including a recent rocket attack.

It is claimed the police presence between Ardoyne and Twaddell Avenue in north Belfast has been scaled back in recent months because of budget pressures on the PSNI.

One officer said while patrolling the area they feel their every move is being watched by dissidents and they fear further attempts on their lives.

A senior police officer said the PSNI was making every effort to protect both its officers and the public.

On Sunday evening a man ran out of Brompton Park with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher before firing it at a PSNI Land Rover close to the loyalist camp at Twaddell.

The lethal device passed through the vehicle’s outer skin but ricocheted off heavier armour on the driver’s side. The officers inside were badly shaken but uninjured.

It was the third attempt to murder police officers at the interface in the past year.

Police: we’re sitting ducks (Chris Kilpatrick, Belfast Telegraph) [not currently available online]

gerry90340533

Or else!

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD launching his party’s European election campaign today with a scribbled order topical double negative in the Royal College of Physicians, Kildare Street, Dublin.

Mark Stedman writes:

“Above is what Deputy Adams wrote down, ‘Don’t say it isn’t coming up on the doorsteps,’ after the party’s four European election candidates were asked if his time detained by the PNSI was being asked while they were canvassing….”

Later….

90340519Halo you.

Gerry Adams with Liadh Ni Riada (Ireland South), left, and Martina Anderson MEP (Six Counties).

(Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland)

Screen Shot 2014-03-19 at 09.37.43

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keRRq-f-X0E

The BBC understands the PSNI are to refer a video, which appears to show officers leaving a incapacitated woman at the side of a road, to the police ombudsman.

The video shows a woman being lifted from the middle of the road on John Street in Derry. The woman was then moved to a bus stop and the police drove off.

Assistant chief constable George Hamilton said the behaviour, was “well below the standards we expect from our officers in dealing with vulnerable people whether the vulnerability is due to alcohol or anything else”.

Derry video: Police Ombudsman to review police officer video (BBC News NI)

0008a369-642NYCparadeUPDATE: Northern Irish police will march in NY St. Patrick’s Day parade despite threats (Niall O’Dowd, Irish Central)

An announcement by NYC parade organisers NYC St Patrick’s Day Parade Inc. tonight rescinding an historic decision to invite police officers from Northern Ireland to take part in the New York St Patrick’s Day Parade.

LAD writes:

“Think there’s any chance the Gardaí would show a bit of solidarity and tell them to stick their parade?”

NYC St.Patrick’s Day Parade Inc (Facebook)

Previously: Dear Enda

Meanwhile…

 

churchPew, what a scorcher.

Police had to storm into a church to break up an angry protest staged by part of a congregation demonstrating against their minister. At one stage officers had to stop a man trying to pull the power plug to the church organ. Tensions between two groups within the Ballynahinch Congregational Church reached breaking point during angry scenes yesterday.

It is believed that the church is split into two groups – those who claim to support the traditional church style and those who claim to support the minister who took up the post more than seven years ago. Rev Speers was escorted from the building flanked by police when he had finished his sermon, while his supporters shook his hand as they left the building.

Any excuse.

PSNI storm Co Down church after furious protests against minister (Claire Graham and Claire Williamson, Belfast Telegraph)

Pic: Google Street View