West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Councillor Maire Cush speaks in advance of west Belfast DPP meeting on Wednesday 12th November

Published: 8 November, 2008

Sinn Fein councillor and West Belfast District Policing Partnership member Maire Cush has urged local people to attend the next public meeting of the West Belfast District Policing Partnership which will be held in the Whiterock Community Centre on Wednesday evening, 12th November, beginning at 7pm.

Ms Cush said:

''The public meetings of the West Belfast District Policing Partnership, which have been very well attended, are an opportunity for members of the general public to hold the PSNI to account on policing issues within west Belfast.

''Sinn Fein and independent members of the DPP have consistently challenged the PSNI on many issues regarding the policing of west Belfast during the last 12 months.

''Before Sinn Féin participation in the DPP, other political representatives, who had jumped on board years before, were happy to collect their shilling for taking seats but failed to ask a single written question of the PSNI .

''Also, it was clear that the independent members at that time were out of touch with local community concerns and were not effectively holding the PSNI to account.

''The new independent members, Rosie McCorley, Aine McCabe, Liz Groves and Harry Connolly are from west Belfast, work in the community and have been assertive in putting their points across since they became members of the DPP in June.

''Both councillor Janice Austin and I have tabled a number of questions on a wide range of issues but, more importantly, the meetings have provided a platform for a robust exchange between the community and the PSNI.

''Sinn Féin has raised issues which are of major concern to our community.

''These include violence against women, drug and alcohol abuse, public area drinking, anti-community behaviour and the carrying of screwdrivers and knives with criminal intent.

''We have raised the need for PSNI officers to be proficient in the Irish Language.

''We have also raised, and will continue to raise, issues around collusion and state murder. There is a huge onus on the PSNI and other criminal justice agencies to convince this community that we can have confidence in their policies and practices and we insist that the PSNI disclose all information relevant to the inquest into the murder of Pearse Jordan.''

''Pearse's case has been raised at several public meetings of the West Belfast DPP. Sinn Féin have also raised the case at the Policing Board, with the PSNI Chief Constable and with the British Secretary of State. Had the PSNI shown full-hearted co-operation with the inquest into Pearse Jordan's killing or had those who took up positions years ago held the PSNI to account on critical issues such as this, then perhaps the case would have been further forward. However, Sinn Féin will ensure Pearse's case stays at the top of the agenda. All the Jordan family, and many other families bereaved by state murder, are seeking is the truth'' explained Ms Cush.

''The people of this community have the right to an effective police service that can make a difference in the areas in which we live.

''Members of safer neighbourhood groups and residents associations have been very vocal in challenging the PSNI on issues relevant to their local areas.

''Representatives of the Falls Residents Association have highlighted the issue of anti-social behaviour in that area and the need to constantly perform checks on the bail conditions of repeat offenders.

''Members of the Greater Andersonstown Safer Neighbourhood Project have articulated their concerns in relation to the policing operation on the upper Suffolk Road where there has been street drinking and anti-social behaviour, and members of the Upper Springfield Safer Neighbourhood Forum have challenged the PSNI in relation to their response times to emergency calls and failure to arrest offenders breaking bail conditions.

''West Belfast MLA Paul Maskey has asked questions on safety in parks and West Belfast MLA Fra McCann has urged the PSNI to work to reduce street drinking.

''Many other issues have been raised by Sinn Fein, community representatives and individuals. West Belfast MP Gerry Adams also brought a motion before the Assembly last month calling for an inter-departmental, multi-disciplinary strategy' to reduce harm and promote safer communities. So Sinn Féin is determined to make the connections and ensure concerted action on all fronts to create democratically accountable and effective civic policing for everyone'', said Ms Cush.

'If there is a policing issue that is important to you, use the opportunity and come to the public meeting in the Whiterock Community Centre on Wednesday evening at 7pm to make your point.''