‘Cruel and disgusting’ - anti-PSNI recruitment posters featuring bomb blast victim Peadar Heffron appear in Derry

Sinn Féin MLA Martina Anderson condemned those responsible for erecting “crass and offensive posters in Derry aimed at intimidating the people of the city”.

The posters feature a picture of Peadar Heffron who had to have his leg amputated after being severely injured in an under-car booby trap bomb planted by dissident Republicans in Randalstown in January 2010.

Mr Heffron was captain of the PSNI’s Gaelic football team at the time.

Foyle MLA Martina Anderson said: “Posters were erected in Derry last night in a disgusting attempt to intimidate the people of the city.

“These posters, which feature an image of Peadar Heffron, a PSNI officer injured in a bomb attack by anti-peace process elements, are crass and grossly offensive.”

She added: “Sinn Féin is working to achieve an accountable, civic and representative policing service which polices with all the community.”

Ms Anderson said that the posters followed attempts to intimidate some sections of the media and “threats to Joint Head of Government Michelle O’Neill and Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly”.

“This is happening at a time when the debate on Irish unity and change in Irish society has taken centre stage,” she said.

“Those responsible for erecting these posters have nothing to offer, they have no politics and no strategy to achieve anything.

“It’s well past time they got off the backs of the community.

“This tactic is disgusting and disgraceful and comes and comes from an unrepresentative groups with little support in the community.

“Everyone should have the right to choose their career path free from any fear or intimidation.”

The Police Service of Northern Ireland have said that they are aware of posters circulating in the Derry area.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: “ These posters can only be described as cruel and disgusting and have clearly been created by those who fear a fully representative police service.

“The cowards who hide behind this fake rhetoric and who ridicule the resolve, commitment and bravery of every person who works every day to keep each of you safe, have nothing to offer our society and should be condemned by all right thinking people.

“I would urge anyone who comes across these posters, either online or physically, not to share or circulate this material further.”