25 June 1998 Edition
Activist harassed in Cork
SF representative Don O'Leary has castigated the ``continued persecution of Sinn Féin members and supporters'' by the Garda Special Branch, in Cork and throughout the country, following the arrest of a SF member there.
Local SF activist Mick O'Sullivan was arrested and detained subsequent to a fruitless raid on his home by the Special Branch. O'Sullivan said the gardaí searched only some of the house.
He was held in Gurranabraher Garda Barracks while being interrogated for up to twelve hours. Photographs and videos, many of which depicted more high profile SF members, were confiscated from his home and gardaí attempted to enlist him as an informer on the activities of SF party members. According to the activist, he was offered money and a business card with the name of a prominent Detective in exchange for information.
Don O'Leary said, ``we are a legal party just like any other, yet we are constantly harassed by the Gardaí.'' He also commented that this incident is only the latest in a continuing campaign of intimidation, indicative of the ``political agenda'' to which the force are pandering. ``All harassment of our members must stop immediately. The peace process is obviously not taken seriously by the Gardaí responsible'', he said. He also praised the members of Cork Sinn Féin who they have endured the ongoing attempts by Gardaí to intimidate SF activists and supporters into submission.
Local SF activist Mick O'Sullivan was arrested and detained subsequent to a fruitless raid on his home by the Special Branch. O'Sullivan said the gardaí searched only some of the house.
He was held in Gurranabraher Garda Barracks while being interrogated for up to twelve hours. Photographs and videos, many of which depicted more high profile SF members, were confiscated from his home and gardaí attempted to enlist him as an informer on the activities of SF party members. According to the activist, he was offered money and a business card with the name of a prominent Detective in exchange for information.
Don O'Leary said, ``we are a legal party just like any other, yet we are constantly harassed by the Gardaí.'' He also commented that this incident is only the latest in a continuing campaign of intimidation, indicative of the ``political agenda'' to which the force are pandering. ``All harassment of our members must stop immediately. The peace process is obviously not taken seriously by the Gardaí responsible'', he said. He also praised the members of Cork Sinn Féin who they have endured the ongoing attempts by Gardaí to intimidate SF activists and supporters into submission.