RSF question presence of armed RUC/PSNI at GAA game

national | miscellaneous | press release Thursday February 07, 2008 16:20 by Des Dalton - Republican Sinn Fein saoirse at iol dot ie 223 Parnell St Dublin 1 01 8729747

The Vice President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton, a member of the GAA in Co Kildare, described as “sinister” reports that an armed member of the British Colonial police was present at the Kildare/Tyrone Allianz National Football league match at Healy Park Omagh, Co Tyrone on Saturday, February 2.

“It has been reported that an armed member of the RUC/PSNI was escorted into Healy Park Omagh before the Kildare/Tyrone National Football game on February 2 by an official of the GAA. A number of questions need to be asked. Why was an armed member of the British colonial police in the press box for the duration of the game? Is it now official GAA policy to escort armed members of the British Crown forces into GAA grounds? Was he there to spy on members of the nationalist community? Are the GAA now collaborating with British Crown forces in such spying and surveillance?

“If these reports are correct it is a sinister development and will rightly cause concern and anger within the nationalist community throughout the Six Counties.” Des Dalton said.