07/04/2005

Plastic baton round adopted despite SDLP objections

The Northern Ireland Policing Board has said it is to follow through with recommendations for a new plastic baton round.

Following a meeting of the Board in Belfast on Thursday, and a special meeting on March 24, the Board voted by a significant majority “to accept the Chief Constable’s recommendation to introduce the replacement (known as the Attenuated Energy Projectile), subject to him fully demonstrating at this next Board meeting that he has consulted with relevant bodies, including the Children’s Commissioner”.

Last month’s decision to introduce a new baton round was attacked by SDLP board member Alex Attwood who said that his party had opposed the decision saying there had been "inadequate medical assessments on the impact of this weapon on children".

However, Sinn Fein’s Gerry Kelly accused the SDLP “of once again acquiescing to the continuing use of plastic bullets by the PSNI”.

At both the earlier meeting (on 24th March), and at today’s meeting, SDLP Board members asked that their votes against agreeing the introduction of the new round be noted.

(MB/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

22 February 2012
New Board Members Appointed To NI Screen
The appointment of eight new Board Members to NI Screen has been announced. Following open competition, Michael Catto, Adeline Dinsmore, Jennifer Johnston, Michael Kuhn, Fiona MacMillan, Aódán Mac Póilin, Laurence McKeown and Ian Parsley have been appointed as Board Members.
25 March 2005
PSNI to get new plastic baton round
The PSNI is to adopt a new plastic baton round following backing from the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
11 August 2023
PSNI Must Focus On Protection Of Officers And Staff – SDLP
The PSNI must focus on the protection of officers and staff and rebuilding public confidence, SDLP Policing Board Member Mark H Durkan MLA has said. Mr Durkan participated in a Policing Board meeting with Chief Constable Simon Byrne and the PSNI's Service Executive Team.
25 August 2010
IFA Resignations Cause Chaos
The Irish Football Association (IFA) has confirmed that it received resignations from four members of the Executive Board - President, Raymond Kennedy, Vice President, David Martin, Honorary Treasurer, Neil Jardine and Board member Jim Shaw. That meant that the IFA was therefore unable to operate without the appropriate number of members.
04 April 2008
Top Cop Squares Up To Maskey Over West Belfast
In a TV clash worthy of US presidential candidate hopefuls, last night saw an unexpected war of words breaking out between a Sinn Fein member of the NI Policing Board - and former Lord Mayor of Belfast - and the Chief Constable.