Unionist intimidation against Lagan Valley nationalists

Paul Butler

Only hours before polling stations throughout the Six Counties were due to open, a unionist mob surrounded a pub in Dunmurry village in an attempt to intimidate Catholic voters.

On the evening of 25 November, a group of more than 50 loyalists prevented customers inside the Motte and Bailey pub from leaving, forcing terrified locals to remain inside. Sinn Féin Assembly candidate for Lagan Valley, Councillor Paul Butler, says people were left hemmed inside the bar while loyalists continued to gather outside.

"The PSNI were called, but they said they 'did not have the numbers' to deal with the incident," says Butler. "The loyalists then moved up to Dunmurry Lane and started to rip down both Sinn Féin and SDLP election posters. The PSNI witnessed this, but again, did nothing to stop it."

As election results came pouring in the next day, Butler was himself confronted by a group of meanacing loyalists at the official Lagan Valley count centre in Dromore.

"I had gone outside briefly," says Butler, "when about half a dozen unionists spotted me and started to approach. So I went back inside the leisure centre, where the count was taking place, and they followed me. They were actually allowed to enter the count area unhindered.

"The PSNI did nothing to prevent them from entering or milling about, so they just stood around inside, giving us threatening looks, muttering abuse. Sinn Féin had to point it out to election workers on the scene. It was only then that the PSNI removed them."

Unfortunately, the mob simply hung about, increasing in size. By the time the Sinn Féin contingent from South Down and Lagan Valley left the building together that night, the waiting group of loyalists had swelled to 20.

In spite of the PSNI's presence, no action was taken to protect Sinn Féin representatives or move the assembled group away. Republican election workers were forced to file past the gang alone and hope for the best.

"But when we got into the cars, they surrounded us," says Butler. "They were shouting things like 'Fenian bastards - get out' and began to pound on the roofs of our vehicles. Again, the PSNI witnessed this but did nothing to stop it or provide us with any sort of protection or assistance."

The outrageous harassment continued the following day. Worried about the possibility of a repeat performance by loyalist thugs, the Sinn Féin election team arrived at the count centre on Friday with a few extra workers for protection, as it was obvious no help was forthcoming from the PSNI.

But unbelievably, as Butler and his colleagues attempted to leave the Dromore count centre for a second time, they were stopped by the PSNI, who blocked their route with Land Rovers.

"They claimed we were driving a stolen car," says Butler, "that it had been stolen from the Republic earlier that day, and of course it turned into an argument. The media were there watching it all unfold. Obviously, the car was not stolen, but the PSNI still detained us for 20 minutes before they allowed us to proceed."

Later that night, as the story hit the evening news, a PSNI spokesperson issued Butler an apology. But it wasn't really an apology. It was issued over the airwaves for the benefit of the public and not to the Sinn Féin councillor's face - not even to his office or election team.

"I have heard that they have issued an apology," says Butler, "but that is just over the airwaves and not to me personally. I have not received an apology. I have not been contacted by the PSNI."

"It's the bigots in the PSNI - those who have come over from the RUC - who are behind it. The only reason they did this is because of the Sinn Féin election victory. They are worried about the gains Sinn Féin has been making. They are interfering with the democratic process and allowing loyalist supporters to do the same."

Butler has raised the matter with both the Electoral Commission and the Police Ombudsman's Office. "I will be asking that the count centre is moved from Dromore as it is not safe. Every time there is an election loyalists in the area try to intimidate Catholics. All this comes just after a young Catholic was killed in Lisburn, yet the PSNI continue to turn a blind eye."

A spokesperson for the PSNI says that since a "public apology" has been issued to Butler, they consider the matter to be closed.