RNU Spokesperson Brutally Assaulted by the Unreformed RUC

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Saturday January 22, 2011 17:18

by RNU - Republican Network For Unity

Denouncing the brutal arrest of RNU Ard Comhairle member, MARTIN Óg MEEHAN REPUBLICAN NETWORK for UNITY (RNU) CATHAOIRLEACH/CHAIRPERSON, DANNY MCBREARTY said;“It is shameful but not surprising, that Republicans prominent in organising opposition to MI5 interference in Irish affairs and political policing are targeted by the unreformed Crown Constabulary across the Six Counties on a daily basis.

Mr. McBrearty continued; “After searching Mr. Meehan under the so-called Terrorism Act, a number of RUC/SPNI personnel brutally assaulted him then also forced him into wrist and leg restraints before he was dragged into an armoured land rover. Despite complaining of suffering from a serious heart condition and breathing difficulties, Mr. Meehan was arrested and taken to Antrim Road Barracks in Belfast.

Soon afterwards, the former Republican prisoner was ‘interviewed’ by two plain- clothes RUC/PSNI members who offered him a large amount of cash to jail three named Belfast Republicans. He was further warned that if he refused to ‘co-operate’, details of his personal movements would be passed to Loyalist Paramilitaries.

After refusing to comply, the RNU spokesperson was charged with assaulting three RUC/PSNI men, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was then bailed to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court next month”.

The Republican Network for Unity Chairperson concluded; “Mr. Meehan’s disturbing arrest highlights the nefarious tactics used by the British Crown Forces to frame Irish Republicans for imprisonment or worse. It proves the point that the frequent abuse of human rights continues unabated to undermine working-class communities and the Republican struggle. RNU call upon the Nationalist and Republican community to re-examine their support for the re-branded RUC as it is clear they are not capable of the changes many believed were possible”.

Comments (2 of 2)

holy shit

by dub

Sat Jan 22, 2011 22:52

This mans da was a legend, i hope hes alright. looks like a bad goin over. Cops deffo need more accountability. THis is not normal behaviour

Outrageous human rights abuse

by Claire

Sun Jan 23, 2011 14:13

That bruising and the way in which it occurred is an utter disgrace. That any person would be exposed to such brutality in any country at the hands of the military &/or police force is unacceptable. That this beating occurred when this man was acting in good faith in an innocent, selfless gesture - that deserves applause - to check that a person known to him was ok [clearly a justifiable concern as it turned out] should put the fear of God into every right thinking person.

This wasn't in Djibouti or some backwater of Kolkota. This extreme abuse of a man's most basic human rights happened in a supposedly sophisticated part of the world [as far as acknowledging, or more paying lip service to, human rights goes].

How long can ordinary decent people who happen to disagree with the power of the stick under which they're forced to survive be subjected to such violence, intimidation and corruption at the hands of the British military?

Why are we not seeing people like Geoffrey Robertson, who took Julian Assange's case, who claim to defend the rights of those being subjected to such state sanctioned abuses and whose voices are crushed by the abusers, jumping to defend this man Meehan now and pursuing the British state for its repulsive violations of Mairtin Og Meehan? He has no crime and not even an allegation of any crime (which would not be justification for the beating and bruising at any rate) yet he's beaten, made to live in fear and degraded at will by the very powers that are supposed to protect citizens. Aren't they?

How is this stopped people?