PSNI accused of media manipulation

Sinn Féin Councillor Marie Moore has accused the PSNI of "media manipulation" after they carried out a series of house raids and arrests in the Ballymurphy area of West Belfast last Wednesday 28 January.

And the Sinn Féin councillor has revealed that just hours after the PSNI briefed journalists that four men arrested in the raids were part of "an IRA punishment squad", all four were released without charge.

During the briefing, the PSNI also claimed they were acting on, "good intelligence" when they arrested the four men.

"The PSNI boasted they had the right men even before any of those arrested had been interviewed," said Marie Moore. "This media manipulation comes as no surprise, just days before the review of the Good Friday Agreement is due to begin".

The families of those arrested have also hit out at what they describe as "politically motivated arrests and raids".

One of the homes targeted by the PSNI was that of 84-year-old grandmother Margaret O'Rawe, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

A number of items were taken away from O'Rawe's home and her 19-year-old grandson, who cares for her, was arrested and taken to Antrim PSNI holding centre.

Marie Moore, who was present at the scene, hit out at the heavy-handed behaviour of the PSNI and British Army who, she said, were attempting to intimidate local people. "Mrs O'Rawe is not very well and has been deeply traumatised by these raids," she said. "Her family have every right to be angry in these circumstances."