12 February 1998 Edition
More residents arrested
Over the past month, in an ongoing campaign of harassment, 25 residents from the Newtownbutler area in Co Fermanagh have either been charged, visited by the RUC or had papers sent to the DPP. Nine of the residents have been charged with obstruction in relation to their opposition to a sectarian march through Newtownbutler last August.
A spokesperson for the Newtownbutler Area Residents Association said, ``This is a vindictive exercise and it is expected to continue. It is seen as intimidation, harassment and criminalisation of the nationalist community. Both our group and the Roslea Reroute Sectarian Marches Group condemn the behaviour of the RUC against the nationalist population. These high profile visits by the RUC - where they descend on residents either in the early morning or under cover of darkness. Where is equality today? We are calling on nationalist minded people throughout Ireland to support the beleaguered residents of Newtownbutler and Roslea in their fight for equal and just treatment for all.''
A spokesperson for the Newtownbutler Area Residents Association said, ``This is a vindictive exercise and it is expected to continue. It is seen as intimidation, harassment and criminalisation of the nationalist community. Both our group and the Roslea Reroute Sectarian Marches Group condemn the behaviour of the RUC against the nationalist population. These high profile visits by the RUC - where they descend on residents either in the early morning or under cover of darkness. Where is equality today? We are calling on nationalist minded people throughout Ireland to support the beleaguered residents of Newtownbutler and Roslea in their fight for equal and just treatment for all.''