Alan Lundy
On 15th July 2i was arrested by the PSNI in an early morning raid
on my home. This was in relation to a number of scurrilous accusations
made by a single PSNI officer regarding my behaviour while acting as a
steward at the successful GARC protest march against sectarianism on
the 12th July 2012. I was accused by this PSNI officer of throwing a
missile at police lines, an accusation that i have vociferously
rejected at all times. In addition to this charge, i was also charged
with an historical offence, namely attacking a British soldier in 2005
– again on the word of a single PSNI officer, over seven years after
the alleged event.
As a result of the actions of these PSNI officers, my home was wrecked
during the raids that accompanied my arrest – distressing my partner
and two young children. Many personal items were also seized, some
with sentimental value, that have still not been returned to me. The
main result was that i was on remand for three months in Maghaberry
Gaol, taken from my family. During these three months i applied for
bail on a number of occasions and this was refused by numerous judges,
based on the PSNI’s opposition and their supposed “fear of
re-offending”. At the same time others were granted bail, including a
number of loyalists who were released with no attached bail
conditions. This was especially galling for my family and friends who
had to sit through the bail applications of loyalists with far
stronger evidence against them and see bail granted, then watch as my
own application was refused. I was eventually granted bail in October
2012 after serving three months, all of which i served on full protest
with other Republicans in Roe House.
The 2005 charges were dropped a number of weeks ago, based on lack of
evidence. This justified my position that these charges were simply
introduced as a “back up” – to ensure that coupled with 2012 charges i
would be remanded and taken off the streets by the PSNI. Today all
charges in relation to 12th July were dismissed at Belfast Magistrates
Court, further vindicating my belief that these were politically
motivated charges with a number of sinister objectives on behalf of
the PSNI. Firstly, as a Republican Activist from Ardoyne that works
hard on a number of campaigns, it was in the interests of a State
Militia to remove me from the streets. Doing so, and using the word of
one officer as reasonable evidence to do so, demonstrates internment
by remand is a strategic policy used by the PSNI and PPS in 2013
Ireland. Secondly, the GARC mobilisation of 2,500 Ardoyne Residents on
12th July 2012 was seen by the PSNI, and by association the State, as
a demonstration by the Ardoyne community that enough was enough when
it came to Sectarian Marches through our area. Imprisoning me was to
be interpreted as a warning to all those in attendance that if they
oppose Loyal Order parades then they too will face accusations and
charges. This further demonstrates the one sided nature of Policing
with regard to this issue, however the overwhelming support that I and
my family have received since this ordeal began has shown that, far
from scaring the Ardoyne community, it has made it more determined to
oppose these parades and the attempted criminalistaion of residents
that accompanies them.
Today the PSNI have been shown for what they are, a corrupt force that
is there to protect the state by whatever means necessary – even if it
means falsely charging and imprisoning innocent people, simply for
their political beliefs. They are no different to their forerunners in
the RUC in this regard and as such should continue to be rejected by
Republicans and all those who state they are concerned with the
protection of fundamental human rights. Those who continue to be
apologists and welcome the PSNI into communities such as Ardoyne need
to be challenged, but at the same time these people need to look deep
inside themselves and ask are they comfortable supporting and
promoting a force that has as a policy of selective internment by
remand – taking fathers and mothers from their children for prolonged
periods of time.It is simply not good enough to say political policing
should not affect people only if they still support certain political
parties. If they look hard deep enough and be honest with themselves
and others, then they will cease lending credence to a police force
that is as discredited as the one which they used to oppose. Please Share….
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