Ógra protest youth show trial

The picket on Omagh PSNI barracks

The youth wing of Sinn Féin held a protest outside Omagh PSNI Barracks last Friday night to demand an immediate end to the ongoing trial of Ógra member Daniel Turnbull.

Daniel Turnbull has been on trial since December of last year on charges of possessing photographs likely to be of use to terrorists. The photos in question were taken at a demilitarisation protest at Omagh's Lisanelly British Army Barracks last November.

Speaking at the protest, Barry McColgan, Six-County Ógra organiser, damned the ongoing trial as nothing more than harassment. "All Danny did was take pictures at a peaceful protest," he said. "The PSNI don't have a case. If they did, then Danny would be locked up by now. Instead, they are dragging out the case, making sure that he still has to endure the bail conditions.

"The trial is a complete farce, the PSNI say that Danny had photographs that were likely to be of use to terrorists but they were taken at an Ógra Shinn Féin protest and all they contain are pictures of many Ógra Shinn Féin members. The only terrorists who would find pictures of young republicans useful are the loyalist colluders within the PSNI."

He also said that the PSNI have been "carrying out a campaign of harassment against young nationalists in the West Tyrone area. With this sort of state harassment happening daily, is it any wonder why young nationalists still feel resentment and alienation against this excuse of a police force?"

Daniel Turnbull's next court appearance is on Tuesday 15 June at 10.30am at Omagh Court House.

"The trial has to come to an end, this harassment has to stop, so make a stand and be at the protest to show the PSNI that people are angry and want an end to their bigotry," said McColgan.