The Five Demands

Fury at renewed dissident threat (NewsLetter)
A DUP MP has demanded an explanation from the police after it emerged last night they stood by while a masked dissident republican issued a threat against members of the security services to cheers from a crowd.
The comments came during the 32 County Sovereignty Movement’s annual Easter Rising commemoration at Creggan Cemetery in Londonderry yesterday when a masked man told a crowd of around 200 that Oglaigh na hEireann “will continue to attack Crown forces personnel, their installations as well as British interests and infrastructure”.
Gregory Campbell said that a similar message was delivered at Creggan Cemetery last year and since then attempts were made to kill police officers and soldiers.
However, the PSNI said it took the decision to run a low-key operational response to the event.
“Any alleged breaches of criminal law reported to police or coming to our attention will be rigorously and thoroughly investigated,” said area commander Chief Inspector Garry Eaton.
Last night six men were arrested in connection with the commemoration and taken to Antrim serious crime suite for questioning.
Chief Inspector Eaton continued: “The PSNI work to ensure that all their actions are appropriate, proportionate and lawful. Our priorities are to protect the public, preserve public order, uphold the human rights of all and gather evidence of any wrong-doing.”
PSNI officers monitored the event from a distance and by helicopter.
Mr Campbell said that after similar comments were made at the event last year, the PSNI had had 12 months to prepare for this.
“Last year at the Easter commemoration at the same place, organised by the same group, there was a similar threat, we know that in the intervening 12 months there were attempts made on officers,” he said.
“Given that that happened 12 months ago, most people would expect police to be aware and expect something similar.
“We will all wait to see what follow up procedures will take place.”
Mr Campbell welcomed news that six arrests had been made after the cemetery incident.
In a statement issued last night the 32 county sovereignty committee, who organised the event, said there is “no constitutional path” to a united Ireland.
“The unavoidable conclusion to reach when looking at former comrades in Stormont is that there is simply no constitutional path to a United Ireland,” the statement said.
“In the coming months we will be expanding upon our social program and we ask all 32CSM activists and supporters to give their input into this effort.
“We salute the continued resistance efforts by the volunteers of the IRA, their courage and resilience in the face of such odds stands as an example to all Republicans.”