British Harassment Continues: Arrests In Lurgan

Statement from Republican Sinn Féin on tension between the party and the British state security services.


Over the course of recent days, Republicans were arrested and houses raided in North Armagh. Further arrests and raids were carried out all over the Six Occupied Counties.

The arrest and detention of five men in Co Armagh over July 23 and 24 was described as an ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation by the RUC/PSNI against Republicans in Armagh, especially in the Lurgan/Craigavon area.

The men, among them three members of the Ard Chomhairle of Republican Sinn Féin, were arrested over the two days and are still held in custody. At least one had their home wrecked when the door was kicked in and another was assaulted during their arrest.

According to a statement from Republican Sinn Féin on July 24, 2015:

The nationalist community in north Armagh has suffered disproportionately at the hands of the British state forces for many years and the latest raids and arrests are part of the ongoing campaign to stamp out resistance to British rule in Ireland.

The terror tactics employed by the RUC/PSNI included, in this instance, dozens of land rovers, special branch and riot squad.



Raids were also carried out in Derry city, south Armagh and north Belfast over the last week.

Republican Sinn Féin condemns the raids in Derry especially at the home of Peggy O’Hara, and the arrest of activists for organising a commemoration in Derry city at Easter 2015.

The statement from Republican Sinn Féin concluded:

The raids and arrests of people all over the Six Occupied Counties over the last week are an orchestrated attempt to appease the Unionist politicians and community.

The Unionist and Loyalist community felt discontented with recent decisions made by the Parades Commission. As a consequence, the British establishment once again used the RUC/PSNI to terrorise Nationalist communities in the Six Occupied Counties to appease the Unionists.

No comments