30 October 1997 Edition
Children assaulted by RUC
Thirteen year-old Sheena Officer was assaulted by an RUC man during a peaceful Sinn Fein Youth picket on the Oldpark Road in North Belfast last Thursday 23 October. During the incident, in which the picket was prevented from reaching Oldpark RUC barracks, RUC men shouted sectarian abuse at the protesters.
Sinn Fein Councillor for North Belfast, Bobby Lavery described the RUC as ``heavy-handed'' and said, ``the heavy presence of the RUC and their attitude to the protest confirms that this force is totally unacceptable.''
Meanwhile Sinn Fein National Chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin reacted angrily to the news that Sinn Fein representative Francie Molloy was detained for 45 minutes at Heathrow airport by the British Special Branch.
McLaughlin called on the Special Branch to stop its harassment of Sinn Fein representatives on legitimate political business. He said, ``I hope this is not a return to the policies of the British government under John Major during the first cessation.''
McLaughlin added that,''it was becoming clear that `securocrats' both here and in Britain were trying to reclaim the agenda for negotiations.''
Sinn Fein Councillor for North Belfast, Bobby Lavery described the RUC as ``heavy-handed'' and said, ``the heavy presence of the RUC and their attitude to the protest confirms that this force is totally unacceptable.''
Meanwhile Sinn Fein National Chairperson, Mitchel McLaughlin reacted angrily to the news that Sinn Fein representative Francie Molloy was detained for 45 minutes at Heathrow airport by the British Special Branch.
McLaughlin called on the Special Branch to stop its harassment of Sinn Fein representatives on legitimate political business. He said, ``I hope this is not a return to the policies of the British government under John Major during the first cessation.''
McLaughlin added that,''it was becoming clear that `securocrats' both here and in Britain were trying to reclaim the agenda for negotiations.''