‘Police caused Newry riot’ – Eirigi
The Camlough Road was the scene of a security alert and a riot
Eirigi in Newry has claimed that police provocation caused the riot in Newry’s Camlough Road last night.
A police spokesman told Newry Times that officers were attacked with stones, bricks and petrol bombs while they dealt with a suspicious object in the area. Eirigi spokesman Stephen Murney however, dismissed this and instead pointed the finger of blame on the PSNI for ‘creating and provoking a serious riot situation in nationalist areas.’
Speaking to Newry Times, Murney stated, “Under the guise of an alleged ‘security operation’ the PSNI, accompanied by the British Army, arrived in force and proceeded to surround and seal off the Derrybeg and Carnagat areas. Dozens of armored PSNI land-rovers, armored cars, jeeps and British army lorries kept these areas under siege and at one stage two PSNI helicopters kept the local population under surveillance.”
He continued, “éirígí activists from these areas received numerous reports from residents concerned at the heavy handed actions of the PSNI and were at the scene immediately to ensure the safety of their communities. As we have seen numerous times in the past couple of years the British forces have a history of provocation in situations like this and this instance was no different.”
Murney’s interpretation of the riot situation differs greatly from the PSNI explanation. Murney explained “While engaging with the community we witnessed several armored land-rovers driving at speed towards a group of young people who had gathered to watch what was happening. This deliberate attempt to intimidate and provoke the community created a riot situation in which stones, paint and petrol bombs were thrown, with various media reports stating a PSNI member was injured.”
“The blame for this trouble lies squarely with the PSNI who spent their time goading and driving armored land-rovers directly at young people. éirígí activists remained in the area until the British state forces withdrew, leaving the local community to pick up the pieces and clear the destruction left behind by actions of the PSNI.”
He added, “These communities are no strangers to Crown Force repression and have been to the fore in resisting this repression over the years. If the PSNI aren’t harassing residents in these areas by using stop and search legislation and house raids they are provoking our local youths to create riot situations such as this.”
WTTH MANY THANKS TO : 
Posted by Paul Malone editor@newrytimes.com. Friday, May 25th, 201 Community, News
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