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27/05/2009
SDLP Woman Defies Gun Threat
A nationalist assemblywoman threatened with a gun while canvassing in Lurgan has described the incident as an "affront to democracy".
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly was electioneering in the Kilwilkie estate last night, on behalf her party's MEP candidate Alban Maguinness, when she was approached by a masked man.
The armed assailant told Mrs Kelly (pictured) and her SDLP colleagues to leave the area within five minutes, or they would be shot. A gun was pointed in one canvasser's face.
Mrs Kelly said she had noticed a car carrying four men pass by her prior to the incident, then disappear.
Shortly afterwards, at around 7.45pm, a man in a balaclava shouted at the MLA, warning her she had five minutes to get out of the estate.
"He had what seemed to be an airgun. He also threatened another member of my party and pointed the gun directly at his face," said the MLA.
The SDLP members withdrew from the area, in what Mrs Kelly described as a "terrifying" experience.
She said: "It was a terrifying experience; I'm not going to dismiss it. It makes me angry. Those people think they can intimidate me or my party - but they will not.
"This is an affront to democracy. I am proud to be an elected representative for this area and young dissident republican elements like that will not deter me from my work."
A defiant Mrs Kelly said the incident will not stop her from what she was democratically elected to do.
Police are now investigating the incident, which happened in a predominantly nationalist area.
NI Policing Board Chair, Sir Des Rea today expressed his support for Mrs Kelly.
He said: "There is no room in our society for those who threaten in this way and the stance taken by Dolores against such threats must be given broad community support."
(PR/BMcC)
SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly was electioneering in the Kilwilkie estate last night, on behalf her party's MEP candidate Alban Maguinness, when she was approached by a masked man.
The armed assailant told Mrs Kelly (pictured) and her SDLP colleagues to leave the area within five minutes, or they would be shot. A gun was pointed in one canvasser's face.
Mrs Kelly said she had noticed a car carrying four men pass by her prior to the incident, then disappear.
Shortly afterwards, at around 7.45pm, a man in a balaclava shouted at the MLA, warning her she had five minutes to get out of the estate.
"He had what seemed to be an airgun. He also threatened another member of my party and pointed the gun directly at his face," said the MLA.
The SDLP members withdrew from the area, in what Mrs Kelly described as a "terrifying" experience.
She said: "It was a terrifying experience; I'm not going to dismiss it. It makes me angry. Those people think they can intimidate me or my party - but they will not.
"This is an affront to democracy. I am proud to be an elected representative for this area and young dissident republican elements like that will not deter me from my work."
A defiant Mrs Kelly said the incident will not stop her from what she was democratically elected to do.
Police are now investigating the incident, which happened in a predominantly nationalist area.
NI Policing Board Chair, Sir Des Rea today expressed his support for Mrs Kelly.
He said: "There is no room in our society for those who threaten in this way and the stance taken by Dolores against such threats must be given broad community support."
(PR/BMcC)
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