RUC/PSNI

PSNI

Extramural Activity1 Comment

The emblem of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland, is mounted outside the station in Strand Road, Londonderry. In the middle is a St Patrick’s Saltire, around the six-pointed star (clockwise from the top) are a scales of justice, a harp, a torch (for enlightenment), an olive branch, a shamrock, and a crown.

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Copyright © 2004 Peter Moloney
M02167

End Siege Of Short Strand

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Short Strand is a Catholic enclave of about 1,000 people in Protestant east Belfast. Throughout 2001 and 2002, the interface saw gun battles and rioting between the two factions. Here is a Guardian account of events in 2002. Above is a rejection of the new PSNI “There are many reasons for not joining the PSNI – this is just one” with a series of wanted posters (seen Collusion! Collusion! and Collusion Is State Murder plus one of Patrick Mayhew). Both parts by Ógra Shınn Féın. Divis Street, Belfast.

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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M02011 M02010 [M02008 M02009]

PSNI – Patten Still Not Implemented

Extramural Activity1 Comment

The commission into policing led by Conservative MP Chris Patten produced its report in September 1999 and various of its recommendations were enacted into law. (The full report or the summary of recommendations are available at CAIN.) The board above alleges that the only  change was the name – the name originally suggested was “Northern Ireland Police Service”, but “PSNI” was thought a better initialism – while both forces continue to use plastic bullets. The officer on the right has six digits on his right hand.

Divis Street, west Belfast

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Copyright © 2003 Peter Moloney
M02001

Sean Gaynor

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“In memory of IRA Volunteer Sean Gaynor who was murdered in his home at 236 Springfield Road by members of the RIC on the 26th September 1920. Erected by the greater Clonard ex-prisoners association.” Gaynor was one of three victims of an RIC murder gang that night (See ROM’s account.)

Colinview Street, Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M03947

Sean Downes

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“Sean [aka John] Downes, age 22, murdered at this location by the RUC on the 12/8/84. Victim of state violence.” Downes was hit at close range by a plastic bullet outside Connolly House on the Andersonstown Road, Belfast during an attempt by police to arrest NORAID‘s Martin Galvin. Reserve Constable Nigel Hegarty was charged with manslaughter but was cleared.

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01946

Stephen Lawrence – Robert Hamill

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Londoner Stephen Lawrence was murdered by stabbing in 1993 and, although arrests were made, no charges were brought. A 1998 public inquiry found that the Metropolitan Police Service was “institutionally racist”. In 2012, two of the original suspects were found guilty of the murder (WP). Catholic Robert Hamill was beaten to death by loyalists in Portadown in 1997 while police in an RUC land-rover looked on (WP).

The same board (in slightly different colours) appeared in Artana Street, south Belfast.

Brompton Park, Ardoyne, north Belfast

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Copyright © 2002 Peter Moloney
M01792