The Sinn Fein chairperson of Limavady District Policing Partnership (DPP) was heckled by dissident republican protesters as she hosted a meeting of the body in Dungiven this week.
It was the first time Limavady DPP held a public meeting in Dungiven and, according to the dozen or so Republican Sinn Fein protesters, it should never have been held there.
Despite a brief protest by a small number of hardline republicans, the me
eting at the sports pavilion went ahead as scheduled. The protesters say they achieved what they set out to do: “making sure the "RUC/PSNI" know they are not welcome in Dungiven.”
As DPP Chairperson and Sinn Fein councillor Brenda Chivers opened the meeting protesters streamed into the hall, forming a line at the back. Each time she addressed attendees, protesters blasted chants of "SS RUC", "traitor" and "British Sinn Fein".
When Colr. Chivers invited protesters to participate in the meeting they shouted: "You're all touts. It's a disgrace."
A police officer videoed the five to 10-minute protest before the dissidents filed out of the hall.
Chairman of Republican Sinn Fein in Dungiven, Michael McGonigle said the short protest was effective.
"We made our point. I'm only interested in a 32-county All Ireland police force. I have no time for the RUC/PSNI. They're not doing their job here in Dungiven and we don't want these meetings in Dungiven. As far as Republican Sinn Fein are concerned they are not welcome here. Take the meeting to Limavady and keep it there."
Colr. Chivers said the dissidents were entitled to protest and said holding the meeting in Dungiven was in response to local concerns.
"They had their protest and that was it. They are entitled to do that," she told the 'Journal'. "If the protesters have concerns about the PSNI they should come in and let us know and let the PSNI know how they can make it a better community for everyone."
She added: "There are a lot of issues in Dungiven that people want to speak to police about and I think that was reflected by the number of people here tonight."
East Derry Sinn Fein MLA Francie Brolly said what struck him was the youth of most of the protesters.
“I'm just wondering if they understand where we have been and where we have got to. I doubt if they do and I think they would be well advised to sit down with someone like myself and ask 'Where are we going?' What are we doing? Do we need police and how different is this police force from the RUC?' All these questions would ease their minds about whatever difficulty they have."
