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6 April 2006 Edition

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PSNI attempt to recruit Informer

Sinn Féin Assembly member for Mid-Ulster Francie Molloy and Cllr Mickey Gillespie have hit out at the PSNI after they attempted to recruit a young man from Cappagh/Galbally area in Co. Tyrone as an informer.

Cllr Mickey Gillespie said: "Earlier this week I was contacted by a young man and his family. The young man had been stopped by the PSNI in relation to motoring offences. The PSNI told the young man that they would drop penalty points accumulated on his licence if he was willing to spy on local republicans.

"The young man refused the PSNI offer and then informed his family of the bribe offered to him. I would like to commend the young man for the approach he adopted, despite the traumatic experience that he has gone through. I would call on all young people to be vigilant and to adopt the same course of action as this young man if PSNI / Special Branch attempt to recruit them as informers. I urge all young people to be cautious and wary in any contact with the PSNI.

Francie Molloy MLA stated: "This incident does of course raise very serious matters in a wider policing context. The PSNI will no doubt attempt to hide behind a "No Comment" position when challenged on this matter. However those within the SDLP in particular who endorse this type of policing will have to face this community and explain their position.

"Trying to blackmail young people into working for the Special Branch is not the sort of policing people are demanding. This is the type of policing which has failed us for decades and which must be confined to the history books if we are to achieve the sort of accountable policing service demanded by the Good Friday Agreemen

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