A Derry solicitor has hit out at the PSNI, claiming they are stopping and searching people based solely on their political views.
Paddy MacDermott made the comment after hardline republicans in Derry said they are getting stopped and searched by the police on “an hourly basis.”
Mr MacDermott, of MacDermott and McGurk solicitors, said a number of his clients had contacted him
about being stopped under the Terrorism Act.
“We have numerous complaints from clients over the past number of weeks with regard to being stopped and searched by the PSNI.
“It would appear that this is part of a concerted campaign targeted at people for their political views,” he said.
Several members of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement (32CSM) also contacted the ‘Journal’ to say that they had been stopped and searched under the Terrorism Act.
One member, Paddy McDaid, said he was searched by police officers while holding his three year-old child in his arms. Leading republican Gary Donnelly also said he and his 16 year-old daughter were searched while the teenager was pushing a child in a pram along the quay on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Donnelly claimed it was the latest in a series of incidents where children have been present while republicans have been searched. “As republicans we expect this type of hostility from the police but I think it is unacceptable that they are turning their attention towards children now. I have been stopped while with my children on several occasions in the last fortnight and my 16 year-old daughter has been stopped under the Terrorism Act also. This is a very scary experience for children,” he said.
Michael Gallagher of the 32 CSM, who said he has been stopped several times in recent days, said the incidents are part of a “renewed effort to harass republicans.”
“We have seen the real face of the RUC with the ongoing harassment of republicans and their families.
“Republicans are now being harassed on a daily, and indeed, an hourly basis,” he said.
Responding to the claims, a spokesperson for the PSNI said: “If anyone has genuine cause to complain about the actions of any police officer they can contact the office of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland.”
