24 February 2000 Edition
RUC raids on Dungannon republicans
BY CAÍTLIN DOHERTY
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, 22 February, the RUC and the British Army launched a joint attack on republican houses in the Dungannon area. The raids began around 6.30am and lasted for a couple of hours on the Ballygawley and Lisnahull Roads.
Among the houses targeted were those belonging to former republican POWs and political activists. The residents have been a constant target for RUC harassment these past few months and some of the premises had already been raided on several occasions.
``The RUC carrying out these raids have been particularly heavy handed, injuring people and damaging property,'' said Sinn Féin Assembly member for Mid-Ulster, Francie Molloy.
British Army bomb disposal teams were also sent into some of the houses. At one stage, around 24 RUC cars and Land Rovers were involved.
Most of the RUC involved were from the Mahon joint RUC/British Army and DMSU Headquarters in Portadown. One person was arrested and brought to Gough Barracks in Armagh. A quantity of ammunition, rifles and explosives were later said to have been seized.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, 22 February, the RUC and the British Army launched a joint attack on republican houses in the Dungannon area. The raids began around 6.30am and lasted for a couple of hours on the Ballygawley and Lisnahull Roads.
Among the houses targeted were those belonging to former republican POWs and political activists. The residents have been a constant target for RUC harassment these past few months and some of the premises had already been raided on several occasions.
``The RUC carrying out these raids have been particularly heavy handed, injuring people and damaging property,'' said Sinn Féin Assembly member for Mid-Ulster, Francie Molloy.
British Army bomb disposal teams were also sent into some of the houses. At one stage, around 24 RUC cars and Land Rovers were involved.
Most of the RUC involved were from the Mahon joint RUC/British Army and DMSU Headquarters in Portadown. One person was arrested and brought to Gough Barracks in Armagh. A quantity of ammunition, rifles and explosives were later said to have been seized.
