BRADY DEATH PROTEST VIGIL
Hardline republicans staged a protest outside Derry’s Strand Road PSNI station yesterday after the death of prominent Strabane republican John Brady in police custody there at the weekend.
The protest vigil was organised by the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) and was also attended by members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and the Republican Network for Unity.
Around 100 republicans, many holding black flags, stood in the middle of Stand Road outside the PSNI station carrying posters reading ‘Justice for John Brady.’ Relatives and friends of Mr. Brady were also in attendance.
At the protest, Willie Gallagher from the IRSP blamed the PSNI for Mr Brady’s death.
“The finger of blame is pointing firmly at the police,” he told the crowd.
Mr Brady’s family have said they do not believe he took his own life.
Speaking from her Strabane home, his sister Lorna told the ‘Journal’ yesterday: “John would not have done this and if he did I want to know what they did to drive him to do it.”
Meanwhile, West Tyrone Sinn Féin MP Pat Doherty called for a full investigation into the Strabane republican’s death. “This is a tragic loss for the family. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to them,” he said.
“There are obviously serious issues of concern about how John Brady died during daylight hours while in police custody. While the full details surrounding his death are unclear it is vital that there is a full and open investigation by the Police Ombudsman,” he added.
A post mortem on the body of the 40 year-old was due to be carried yesterday and he is expected to be buried in Strabane on Thursday.
