Dragged from car by police - claim
A Creggan man has claimed he was handcuffed and dragged from his car when he stopped to check on his brother, who was being searched by the PSNI.
The police have appealed for witnesses following the incident and have claimed that an officer was struck by a moving car.
Paul McIntyre, who insists he didn't strike anyone with his car, said he stopped when he saw his brother Sean being questioned by officers on the roundabout at Central Drive.
Paul told the 'Journal'; "I pulled over to ask Sean was he OK. The officer told me to move on as I was obstructing traffic. There weren't even any other cars on the road.
When I pulled over the officer ran alongside me, grabbed my arm through the window and handcuffed me. He then dragged me from the car and told me I was obstructing traffic and police. During police interview I was accused of having sworn at them repeatedly but I didn't even speak to the officer.
"I was one foot away from him at all times. No way did I hit him, this is just an extension of the harassment they have been directing at our Sean."
Mr McIntyre was arrested at the scene and questioned at Strand Road police station. He was released after six hours.
He said he was left with severe bruising on his wrists after being cuffed and dragged from the driving seat of his car. He maintained he was in no way rude or obstructive in his dealings with police officers.
Neither brother has been charged.
Sean McIntyre claimed he has been stopped more than 20 times in the past four weeks under Section 44 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. He said one particular police officer is involved in most of the searches.
The brothers fear that the PSNI will now target other family members.
Sean said: "I have never been in trouble with the police until a few weeks ago when they started stopping me every few days. It is always the same officer."
A spokeperson for the PSNI said: "We are appealing for witnesses following an incident on Central Drive during which a car struck a police officer on the leg. One arrest was made at the scene and anyone who was in the area between 2.30pm and 3pm is asked to contact detectives at Strand Road.
"If there is a complaint against a specific officer then that should be made to the Police Ombudsman."
The spokesperson said the officer involved sustained minor injuries to his leg but has resumed his duties.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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