Circa 200 giovani nazionalisti hanno attaccato la polizia ed i lealisti dopo un raduno dello Sinn Fein per la chiusura della stazione di polizia di Short Strand.
Il comandante della PSNI per East Belfast, John McKeag, ha difeso la decisione di sparare sei proiettili di plastica contro i facinorosi.
“Ero l’ufficiale di comando ieri sera, e questa è stata la mia decisione”, ha riferito.
“Ciò significa che ricevevo un aggiornamento di quanto accadeva sul terreno per l’intero periodo e c’erano rischi di possibili ferimenti tra gli agenti di polizia e gli abitanti della comunità.
E’ stata una decisione proporzionata, giustificata e necessaria in base alle circostanze.
“Se osservare i mattoni utilizzati e la ferocia mostrata contro i poliziotti e la comunità, ritengo che (l’uso dei proiettili di plastica, Ndt) sia stato pienamente giustificato”.
Tratto da Breaking News
PSNI defends decision to fire plastic bullets
A crowd of about 200 nationalist youths fought running battles with the police and loyalists after a Sinn Féin rally to mark the closing down of the Short Strand police station.
East Belfast area commander of the PSNI, John McKeag defended his decision to fire six plastic bullets at the rioters.
“I was a senior officer in charge last night and it was my judgement,”, he said.
“What that means is that I was given an update on what was happening on the ground throughout the whole period and there was significant risk of injury to police officers and the general community.
“It was proportionate, justified and necessary in the circumstances.
“If you look at the bricks that were being used and the ferocity that was being used against officers and the community, then I believe it was totally justified.”