CLLR EMMET DOYLE: Police Chief Refusing to Meet Council Unacceptable

Aontú Cllr for Derry, Emmet Doyle, has slammed the Chief Constable of the PSNI and the Policing Board after they both refused to attend Derry City and Strabane District Council to be held accountable for officers’ actions in the City.

Cllr Doyle:

“Councillors asked for the Chief Constable and the Chair of the Policing Board to come before Council following high profile events relating to policing in Derry. In the last few weeks a man has been shot and other civilians have been manhandled by officers.”

“Their refusal to attend is self-defeating and unacceptable. While they may cite the accountable measures in place for the PSNI, it seems that their direct accountability is not an option. We as community leaders are trying to address very serious problems and by refusing to come before Council, the Chief Constable and the Chair are demonstrating that the open and transparent means we are using to address these problems are not being taken seriously.”

“Despite the District Commander appearing before us next week, it is obvious there are issues with policing that need the attention of senior stakeholders. I urge them to reconsider and to understand what their refusal signals to our community.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.