Remilitarisation in the Midst of Recession

24/03/09

éirígí spokesperson Breandán Mac Cionnaith has described the potential sourcing of millions of pounds worth of extra paramilitary material for the PSNI as an eye-opener on the priorities of the force.

PSNI chief Hugh Orde today (Tuesday) told a Stormont rubber-stamp committee that operations solely aimed at protecting the British occupation in the Six Counties would cost in the region of £76 million [€83 million] over the next two years.

Orde announced that he had already talked to the British government about providing the money for the increased deployment of armoured jeeps, surveillance helicopters and extra over-time hours for PSNI personnel. It is not clear whether any of the extra funding will be used to supplement the PSNI’s already lethal arsenal, which includes assault rifles, pistols, tens of thousands of plastic bullets, CR gas and taser guns.

The news comes after revelations that British army ‘special forces’ have been redeployed to the Six Counties and repressive 28-day detention legislation was enacted to hold a number of people. Orde has also backtracked on pledges to phase out the notoriously sectarian RUC-PSNI Reserve and has stated his intention to keep on 400 members.

Breandán said: “If any more evidence was needed to establish the fact that the PSNI is not a civilian police service but a pro-British paramilitary force, today’s announcement is surely it.

“The sourcing of £76 million for the provision of more repressive material at a time when tens of thousands are on the dole and public services are facing cutback after cutback is a real eye-opener on the priorities of both the British government and the PSNI.

“Clearly, the role of the British government in the North of Ireland is not to provide for citizens and create meaningful employment, its priority is to protect its occupation by pumping money into its security apparatus.

“Likewise, the role of the PSNI is not protect people from crime and catch the perpetrators but to act as the frontline of the British occupation. That is why its members are routinely and heavily armed, that is why there is a stockpile of tens of thousands of plastic bullets, that is why it has a raft of repressive legislation at its disposal and that is why it gets British government money thrown at it.”

Breandán continued: “Those who went on to the Six County Policing Board and extended support for the PSNI with the stated aim of holding it to account and ending repressive policing should now recognise the failure of their endeavours and act accordingly.

“No support should be given to an armed group that tramples on the rights of Irish citizens in an effort to protect an undemocratic occupation. éirígí will continue to oppose and expose the repressive tactics of the PSNI and appeals for all those who oppose British rule and have the interests of working class communities at heart to do likewise.”