Unionist fury as SF slam Kerr operation
UNIONISTS have reacted angrily after Sinn Fein launched an outspoken attack on police investigating the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr.
Martin McGuinness warned that the PSNI will have to face the “widespread anger” from the republican community, after the arrest of a suspect in Coalisland. Earlier Sinn Fein MLA Francie Molloy accused the PSNI of engaging in a “PR stunt”.
Last night, the DUP’s Lord Maurice Morrow accused Sinn Fein of double standards and said republicans were sending out mixed messages on their support of policing.
On Tuesday, officers carried out a series of operations and searches in counties Londonderry, Antrim and Down in connection with the murder of the PSNI officer.
Five men – aged 22, 27, 33, 37 and 46 – were arrested under the Terrorism Act. All five have now been released.
A 23-year-old woman arrested yesterday in connection with the murder of the Catholic police officer remains in custody.
“People are in no doubt where I stand in relation to the killers of Ronan Kerr,” said Martin McGuinness.
“However the arrest and release of this young man [from Coalisland] raises very serious questions about the quality of the current PSNI investigation.
“Bad policing operations in republican communities will do nothing to bring his killers to justice. Indeed if anything the opposite is the case,” said the deputy first minister.
He said he knew the suspect’s family and he had nothing to do with the murder.
Lord Maurice Morrow described the criticisms as an attempt to meddle with a live police investigation.
“Sinn Fein, at this stage, should know that they cannot interfere with how police carry out their investigation into the murder of Ronan Kerr, or any investigation for that matter.
“This is just the latest of a number of statements which Sinn Fein have made about PSNI investigations and it is about time that they realised they cannot have it both ways: you either support the police or you don’t, it’s that simple.
“They have to realise that now they have signed up to supporting the police, they must back the PSNI as they attempt to bring criminals and terrorists to justice.
“The only frustration they should have is that no one has been charged for the murder,” the Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA added.
The PSNI also hit back at the comments from Martin McGuinness, defending the manner of their investigations.
“This investigation is protracted and wide ranging, encompassing the murder of PC Ronan Kerr and associated incidents,” a police spokesperson told the News Letter last night.
“It is being conducted to the highest professional standards.
“Police have a duty to follow all lines of inquiry without fear or favour in accordance with the law.”
