March 7, 2004 Orange Order Dictating Policing Policy


North Antrim Sinn Féin Assembly member Philip McGuigan has claimed that PSNI policy in the area is being decided by the Orange Order. Mr McGuigan's comments come after local PSNI Commanders confirmed to residents in Dunloy that they would be sealing off the town during this Sunday's Republican parade as a result of demands being made by the Orange Order.

Mr McGuigan said:

"This weekend in Dunloy a series of events are being held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the killing of IRA Volunteers Henry Hogan and Declan Martin by the SAS in the town. These will culminate with a parade through the town on Sunday.

"The parade has the support of the local community and will pass off without incident. The PSNI are aware of this yet they are insisting on placing a ring of steal around the town on Sunday. When pressed about this by march organisers the local PSNI Commander said that the decision to mount this offensive operation came about as a result of pressure being applied by the Orange Order.

"It seems that policing policy in this area is being dictated by the demands of a secret anti-Catholic society. So much for the supposed accountability of the PSNI. This revelation poses very serious questions for the PSNI and for those nationalists who continue to argue support for the current flawed policing arrangements"