19 November 1998 Edition
Informer approaches in Armagh
An Phoblacht has learned that the RUC in Armagh are continuing their campaign to recruit young men from the area to act as informers.
One young man, a 16-year old, was approached last Wednesday at the Armagh RUC barracks after being arrested on a minor criminal damage charge. The young man was asked to name names and watch people in the local area in return for his charges being dropped.
In the second RUC recruitment attempt, a 22-year-old man from the Middletown area was approached at the Armagh RUC barracks on Saturday 7 October. The man, attending the barracks on driving offences, was told the charges would be dropped if he informed on people involved in Sinn Fein work in the area, and was pressured into going to local bars but particularly a bar in Armagh that Sinn Fein activists frequent.
Local Sinn Fein councillor, Sean McGirr said ``these approaches are part of a recent upsurge in covert RUC activity. The RUC tactic of approaching vulnerable individuals to act as informers is continuing. Recent victims have rejected any deal or compromise offered by the RUC and I urge anyone who has been approached, or who is working for the RUC to come forward.''
One young man, a 16-year old, was approached last Wednesday at the Armagh RUC barracks after being arrested on a minor criminal damage charge. The young man was asked to name names and watch people in the local area in return for his charges being dropped.
In the second RUC recruitment attempt, a 22-year-old man from the Middletown area was approached at the Armagh RUC barracks on Saturday 7 October. The man, attending the barracks on driving offences, was told the charges would be dropped if he informed on people involved in Sinn Fein work in the area, and was pressured into going to local bars but particularly a bar in Armagh that Sinn Fein activists frequent.
Local Sinn Fein councillor, Sean McGirr said ``these approaches are part of a recent upsurge in covert RUC activity. The RUC tactic of approaching vulnerable individuals to act as informers is continuing. Recent victims have rejected any deal or compromise offered by the RUC and I urge anyone who has been approached, or who is working for the RUC to come forward.''