Menu
25/02/2014
Gerry Kelly Taking Legal Action Against PSNI
Gerry Kelly is to take legal action against the Chief Constable of the PSNI.
Mr Kelly, who is a Sinn Féin MLA and Policing Board Member, is taking the action following an incident in June 2013 when he was carried on the bonnet of a police Land Rover during a disturbance in the Carrick Hill area of Belfast.
After the incident, both Kelly and the driver of the vehicle received and accepted warnings.
However, on Monday Sinn Féin said: "Gerry Kelly has taken a civil case against the PSNI Chief Constable over the incident in Carrick Hill last year.
"Gerry Kelly, in common with any other citizen, is entitled to access the courts when he believes he has been wronged."
The PSNI has said it will not be commenting on the issue, but Mr Kelly's decision has been criticised by a number of Northern Ireland's politicians.
DUP North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "This is one of the most petty and small-minded actions ever witnessed from Sinn Féin. Gerry Kelly is a member of the Policing Board yet sees fit to waste further police time and resources with this civil case.
"Republicans have given support to the police but yet some members of Sinn Féin engage in posturing in an attempt to distract the most discontented elements.
"That can be the only explanation for this latest stunt, unless of course it is just a blatant attempt to perpetuate community tensions."
While Tom Elliott, Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, added: "The level to which Mr Kelly will stoop knows no bounds.
"I trust the courts will realise the nonsense of this action and that Mr Kelly will not be facilitated with Legal Aid and any application for compensation will be rejected."
In a statement, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) which represents rank and file officers, said the move was one of "sheer hypocrisy".
PFNI Chairman Terry Spence QPM said: "This claim is risible and shows the extent to which the claims' culture has taken root. Mr Kelly has accepted an 'informed warning' for his actions and therefore has no grounds for compensation.
"This is sheer hypocrisy, and it won't go unnoticed that it was Mr Kelly's party that questioned the payment of compensation to officers who'd suffered the life-long disability of hearing loss in the past."
He continued: "Mr Kelly should reconsider his decision. He's entitled to make a claim, but not to bring the system into disrepute. If he doesn't withdraw the claim, the hope is that it will be treated with the contempt it deserves."
(JP/CD)
Mr Kelly, who is a Sinn Féin MLA and Policing Board Member, is taking the action following an incident in June 2013 when he was carried on the bonnet of a police Land Rover during a disturbance in the Carrick Hill area of Belfast.
After the incident, both Kelly and the driver of the vehicle received and accepted warnings.
However, on Monday Sinn Féin said: "Gerry Kelly has taken a civil case against the PSNI Chief Constable over the incident in Carrick Hill last year.
"Gerry Kelly, in common with any other citizen, is entitled to access the courts when he believes he has been wronged."
The PSNI has said it will not be commenting on the issue, but Mr Kelly's decision has been criticised by a number of Northern Ireland's politicians.
DUP North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said: "This is one of the most petty and small-minded actions ever witnessed from Sinn Féin. Gerry Kelly is a member of the Policing Board yet sees fit to waste further police time and resources with this civil case.
"Republicans have given support to the police but yet some members of Sinn Féin engage in posturing in an attempt to distract the most discontented elements.
"That can be the only explanation for this latest stunt, unless of course it is just a blatant attempt to perpetuate community tensions."
While Tom Elliott, Ulster Unionist Justice spokesperson, added: "The level to which Mr Kelly will stoop knows no bounds.
"I trust the courts will realise the nonsense of this action and that Mr Kelly will not be facilitated with Legal Aid and any application for compensation will be rejected."
In a statement, the Police Federation for Northern Ireland (PFNI) which represents rank and file officers, said the move was one of "sheer hypocrisy".
PFNI Chairman Terry Spence QPM said: "This claim is risible and shows the extent to which the claims' culture has taken root. Mr Kelly has accepted an 'informed warning' for his actions and therefore has no grounds for compensation.
"This is sheer hypocrisy, and it won't go unnoticed that it was Mr Kelly's party that questioned the payment of compensation to officers who'd suffered the life-long disability of hearing loss in the past."
He continued: "Mr Kelly should reconsider his decision. He's entitled to make a claim, but not to bring the system into disrepute. If he doesn't withdraw the claim, the hope is that it will be treated with the contempt it deserves."
(JP/CD)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
11 February 2020
Sinn Fein Comes Under Dissident Threat
Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill has been warned of planned attacks against herself and party colleague Gerry Kelly by dissident republicans. Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister was informed by the PSNI of intelligence pointing to attacks targeting her and Gerry Kelly MLA, the party's policing spokesperson.
Sinn Fein Comes Under Dissident Threat
Sinn Fein deputy leader Michelle O'Neill has been warned of planned attacks against herself and party colleague Gerry Kelly by dissident republicans. Northern Ireland's deputy First Minister was informed by the PSNI of intelligence pointing to attacks targeting her and Gerry Kelly MLA, the party's policing spokesperson.
06 February 2017
Man Escapes Injury After Shots Fired At House In Co Antrim
A man has escaped injury following a shooting incident at a house in Co Antrim. Two shots were fired at a house on the Bawnmore Drive area in Newtownabbey at around 8.45pm on Sunday, 05 February. A man in his 30s was in the property at the time, however he was not injured.
Man Escapes Injury After Shots Fired At House In Co Antrim
A man has escaped injury following a shooting incident at a house in Co Antrim. Two shots were fired at a house on the Bawnmore Drive area in Newtownabbey at around 8.45pm on Sunday, 05 February. A man in his 30s was in the property at the time, however he was not injured.
04 August 2008
Alliance Won't Take Policing Ministry
Despite optimism from a senior Sinn Féin politician - who has insisted that his party and the DUP have reached an agreement on the contentious issue of the devolution of policing - one preferred option of a Policing and Justice Minister drawn from the middle ground Alliance Party has been dismissed out-of-hand.
Alliance Won't Take Policing Ministry
Despite optimism from a senior Sinn Féin politician - who has insisted that his party and the DUP have reached an agreement on the contentious issue of the devolution of policing - one preferred option of a Policing and Justice Minister drawn from the middle ground Alliance Party has been dismissed out-of-hand.
26 September 2008
BBC 'Maze Escape' Prompts US Controversy
A leading DUP politician was caught up in a US 'peace' award row this week as his Sinn Fein's NI Executive colleague's past was thrown into focus.
BBC 'Maze Escape' Prompts US Controversy
A leading DUP politician was caught up in a US 'peace' award row this week as his Sinn Fein's NI Executive colleague's past was thrown into focus.
24 June 2013
Culture Minister Injured In Parade Protest
Tensions are rising between Northern Ireland's political parties following an incident at the weekend when Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín was injured by a PSNI vehicle. The Culture Minister and her party colleague, Gerry Kelly, were at a nationalist residents' protest against an Orange Order parade in the city.
Culture Minister Injured In Parade Protest
Tensions are rising between Northern Ireland's political parties following an incident at the weekend when Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín was injured by a PSNI vehicle. The Culture Minister and her party colleague, Gerry Kelly, were at a nationalist residents' protest against an Orange Order parade in the city.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
