Police asked me to set up RAAD
A Derry man who received a death threat from RAAD has claimed to the 'Journal' that the PSNI asked him to provide the time and location of a meeting they advised him to have with the vigilante group.
The man said he told police he may as well "paint a target" on his head if he went through with it.
"I haven't slept since all of this happened," the man said.' "I haven't stopped drinking. "When the police told me about the threat they talked to me about setting up a meeting with a community leader so I could speak to RAAD. They asked me for the time and location of the meeting.
"It's terrible to have been asked to do this. Someone a bit weaker may have gone through with it. If I had, I would be dead now. I want nothing to do with it all. I haven't done anything wrong and just want to be left alone."
The man said he has now met with RAAD and told them about the "set up". He claimed the group admitted the death threat was a mistake and was actually meant for another man with the same name.
In a statement to the 'Journal' RAAD confirmed they had met the man and "assured him he has nothing to fear".
"The PSNI has put this man's life in danger," he said. "They also tried to get this ambush set up by using a well respected community leader who has only ever tried to help people in bad situations. Only for him and others like him more people would have been shot. This was not the policing that our community was promised. It's more akin to the dark days of the RUC.
"We call on anyone else in these situations to come forward."
RAAD are criminals - PSNI
A PSNI spokesman said: "As the only legitimate police service it is up to us to investigate criminal matters. RAAD have shown that they are determined to use violence to drag this community down. They have shown themselves to be common criminals and their actions show complete disregard for the community they claim to protect.
"Vigilantism only continues the cycle of violence and crime and these actions must be condemned by all right thinking people. Police fully investigate all reports of crime with the aim of bringing those responsible for any criminal activity before the courts.
"Police would appeal to the community in Derry to continue to support them in their efforts to keep the area safe for everyone. Anyone with information or concerns should contact police on 0845 600 8000."
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North west
