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Ardoyne 2012: PSNI nega approccio “morbido” contro i lealisti

PSNI reject claims of ‘uneven’ riot tactics

Ardoyne | 12 07 2012 | Kevin McAuleyTHE PSNI has rejected claims officers took a “softer” approach with loyalists when policing disorder in Ardoyne on the Twelfth.

Gerry Kelly yesterday called on the chief constable to explain why police on the nationalist side of the Crumlin Road were dressed in riot great, while those on the Twaddell Avenue side wore a “soft hat and uniform”.

Trouble flared on July 12 when nationalists attacked the PSNI following a dissident republican protest against the annual Orange parade.

The Sinn Fein MLA and Policing Board member said the PSNI must “explain their rationale for a catalogue of poor decisions in relation to the policing in north Belfast over the 12th of July period”.

Mr Kelly said: “We have expressed our concerns at the approach taken in relation to what appeared to be two distinct policing operations. The PSNI were in no way even handed in their application of policing on the day.

“One example clearly from experience and footage of the day is that on one hand the nationalist residents of Ardoyne were faced by the PSNI in full riot gear while loyalists had a soft hat and uniform approach taken towards them.”

Last night a PSNI spokesman rejected the criticism, saying officers had acted with professionalism.

“Police deployments were constantly kept under review for the difficult police operation and officers acted with great professionalism to keep communities safe under very testing circumstances.

“In north and west Belfast, as in all other districts across Northern Ireland, the PSNI always strives to provide a personal, professional and protective policing service and is committed to using our resources in a manner which is supportive and responsive to the needs of specific communities.”

Mr Kelly said his party had already met with local police commanders and a further meeting will take place with Chief Constable Matt Baggott.

“While a bad Parades Commission determination made a volatile situation worse, the policing operation on the day did nothing to inspire confidence among nationalist residents of a new dispensation in policing,” said Mr Kelly.

“Sinn Féin will not be found wanting in the application of good policing. Where the PSNI operate well we will acknowledge this but where there are clearly faults and wrong decisions being made we will take this very seriously.”

North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds slammed Sinn Fein’s comments as “stupid and crass”.

“I think it’s a shame and disappointing that Gerry Kelly feels the need to make such ridiculous comments,” said Mr Dodds.

“This is to do with a turf war that’s going on between Sinn Fein and the dissidents, but it is simply nonsensical to compare how the police reacted – given that they were subjected to the most vicious petrol bombing and shots being fired from the republicans, compared to the relatively minor violence on the unionist side, which was very, very shortlived and a reaction to the republican violence.”

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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