Priests condemn policing threats

Denis Bradley is one of those who have been threatened

A group of priests in Londonderry has issued a statement condemning a death threat against the vice chairman of the Policing Board, Denis Bradley.

The 17 priests say arson and intimidation directed against Catholic members of district policing partnerships are "outrageous" and described the threats against Mr Bradley as "unspeakably barbaric".

The priests' statement follows the resignation of another member of the policing partnerships.

Moya Burns, an independent member of Down district policing partnership, stood down on Friday.

It is believed she felt unable to continue in the role because of the current situation although she is not thought to have been personally threatened.

The vice chairman of the Down partnership, Eamon O'Neill, said the campaign of intimidation against nationalist members would not succeed.

Brid Rodgers called for an IRA statement on the issue

"I don't think it will succeed because I think people will gather strength again," said Mr O'Neill.

Ms Burns resignation is the third from partnerships across the province in the past week following a series of attacks and threats to Catholic members.

The chief constable, Huge Orde, has said the main threat was from dissident republicans, but police had intelligence that mainstream republicans were involved at a lower level.

Meanwhile, the IRA has been urged to make a statement saying it is not involved in the threats.

SDLP deputy leader Brid Rodgers said those who received the threats had been confused and frightened and urged the IRA to clarify its position.

Intimidation

"I don't know, I can't say, but what would help certainly is if the IRA were to make a clear statement saying that they're not involved and that it's wrong," she said.

"That would certainly be very useful."

On Saturday, Sinn Fein released a statement saying the attacks on members of the district policing partnerships were wrong and should stop.

The party has called for those behind them to disband.

Hugh Orde said mainstream republicans were involved

District policing partnerships were set up across Northern Ireland under reforms initiated by a commission headed by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and implemented by the government.

Teresa Rooney, a member of Cookstown DPP, stood down on Tuesday and last week an independent nationalist in Fermanagh resigned following a threat from the Real IRA.

Other attacks have included an attack on a car belonging to a DPP member in Strabane and a hoax bomb outside the home of a DPP chairman in Tyrone.

District policing partnerships are made up of councillors and members of the local community, who work alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland's 29 District Command Units in trying to meet local community policing needs.

The Northern Ireland Policing Board handles some of the most sensitive issues facing policing and holds PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde and his senior officers to account.

Former assembly members and independent nominees serve on the board whose headquarters are in Belfast.