Community workers defy dissidents
West Belfast community workers are remaining defiant in the face of threats from dissident republicans, vowing to carry on working with the PSNI.
In messages passed to local newspapers, the grouping Óglaigh na hÉireann warned that “acts of treachery” – including talking to the police – would not be tolerated.
While the threats are being taken seriously, community workers have met to show they will not be intimidated by such tactics.
“They think they can do what they want, that they can bully and intimidate our community sector,” Director of the Falls Community Council, Gerry McConville, told UTV.
“And they’re very, very badly mistaken on that.”
Mr McConville insists vital cooperation with the PSNI will continue for the good of the community, despite the warnings.
“We believe the PSNI have a very, very important role to play,” he said.
“As a community sector, we will work with the PSNI, but we will also hold them accountable for their actions”.
The Chief Executive of the West Belfast Partnership Board, Geraldine McAteer – who was one of the first community representatives in the area to work with the police – branded the threats “faceless and gutless”.
She told UTV: “What I would say to them is – why don’t you come out into the open and engage in open, transparent debate with the people who you seem to have a problem with?”
Óglaigh na hÉireann has refused to withdraw the threats – which also singled out Seamus Finucane, the brother of murdered solicitor Pat FInucane.
