No halfway house on policing – Sinn Fein TD’s comments are hypocritical

Alliance Party Spokesperson Cllr Tom Campbell has slammed as hypocritical Sinn Fein TD Aengus O Snodaigh for not asking for co-operating with the police on the Omagh bomb or the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe, yet backing Sinn Fein joining policing committees. Tom Campbell said that any hypocritical halfway house approach would not be acceptable and that Sinn Fein must fully commit to policing in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Cllr Tom Campbell, who is a member of Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership stated: “It is totally hypocritical that Sinn Fein will sit on policing committees in the Republic of Ireland, but TD Aengus O Snodaigh will not call on people to give information to the police on the Omagh bomb or the killing of Garda Jerry McCabe.

“There can be no halfway house, only full commitment on policing can secure progress on the journey towards reinstating devolved government.

“We must get rid of no-go areas in all senses, in that the police must have full support and Sinn Fein must not be allowed any get-out clauses on policing and justice.

“Will Sinn Fein be willing to give information about the Northern Bank robbery and the murder of Robert McCartney, because if they don’t, any commitment to policing here will be hollow. Questions will be asked as to whether their commitment a façade or is genuine.

“How can Sinn Fein have a role or any credibility on policing committees if they do not ask the public to co-operate with the police on murders and serious crimes.

“Sinn Fein must not be allowed to pick and choose the level of co-operation and support for the police. They must commit fully to the rule of law if any progress whatsoever is to be made in restoring devolution in Northern Ireland.

“How can Sinn Fein have a role or any credibility on policing committees if they do not ask the public to co-operate with the police on murders.

“Anyone with information on a crime must give that information to the police, and any credible politician must back this stance.”

ENDS

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