13 March 1997 Edition

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Derry Harassment

Sinn Fein local government candidate for Northland, Pius McNaught, has hit out at the harassment of the nationalist community in Derry by the British army, following an incident involving a Derry man on Wednesday 5 March.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, was stopped on the Duncreggan Road, asked for his personal details and made to open the bonnet and boot of his car. At this point the British soldiers became abusive and threatening and one asked whether the man was in the ``PIRA or INLA'' and launched into a tirade of abuse.

He was then forced to strip out the back seats, and was told, ``we know who you are.'' The man said the incident had made him extremely nervous, and he plans to lodge a formal complaint with his solicitor.

McNaught said ``I would urge people not to be intimidated by these actions into volunteering information which they are not obliged to divulge. They should also contact their solicitor with any complaints they may have on the conduct of the British army.''


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