Pat Finucane Centre slams intimidation of DPP members

The Pat Finucane Centre in Londonderry has described this week's intimidation of a member of the District Policing Partnership (DPPs) and the vice Chair of the Policing Board as "wrong, dangerous and a fundamental denial of the right to free speech".

In a statement the human rights group said that it was valid to politically oppose the DPPs and/or the Policing Board and "[we] would defend anyone’s right to do so peacefully".

"Clearly it is also totally unacceptable that individual members and their families should be targeted as has occurred in the recent campaign of intimidation," the statement said.

"Any individual who chooses to join the District Policing Partnership or the Policing Board has a right to do so without fear that they or their families will become the victim of death threats.

"Their right to do so must be defended by everyone who aspires towards a human rights-based culture in Ireland.

"Sending bullets through the post is not a political intervention - it is wrong, dangerous and a fundamental denial of the right to free speech," it added.

Today's statement follows threats made against Denis Bradley, the deputy chairman of Northern Ireland's Policing Board, and Marian Quinn, an independent member of Derry District Policing Partnership, earlier in the week.

Both received RIP messages in the post alongside live bullets at their homes in Londonderry.

The threat against Mrs Quinn was the second against her family in recent times. Last month, a hoax device was placed under her daughter's car.

(MB)