July policing under the spotlight at Ardoyne meeting

Tweet

CRJI took part in a multi-agency meeting held today at Holy Cross hall, Ardoyne which looked at problems in the policing of the recent July 12th Orange parade through the area.

There was a protest held by around 30 people outside the venue protesting at the PSNI’s presence at the meetings. The protest was entirely  peaceful and relatives of two local men from the area recently jailed handed out letters outlining their opposition to the meeting.

The meeting proceeded and the PSNI responded to a  number of concerns related to their policing of the July marching season and a number of protests and counter protests.

Residents had raised the firing of plastic bullets, differences in the policing of the nationalist and unionist communities, and the conduct of police during raids and searches carried out after July 12th during a heated multi agency meeting held in the hall a fortnight ago.

The PSNI today gave more information on a number of questions raised during that meeting. It was clear that the residents and community workers at today’s meeting feel that much more remains to be to be done.

Sinn Féin MLA Carál Ní Chuilín said her party had written to the Public Prosecution Service to find out how the community could be better informed on the issue of bail conditions and probation orders of known offenders.

Police then briefed the community on a number of successful drugs raids in Ardoyne and the Oldpark areas.

Residents then quizzed the Housing Executive about how they would proceed if anyone was found to be in breach of their tenancy by allowing drugs to be sold from their homes. The Executive representative outlined the procedures and said it would be writing to the police for a full report on the latest arrests.

There was also a discussion about ongoing problems facing residents suffering from anti-social behaviour coming from the Bone Hills area. Police said they had received a number of call-outs to the area close to the derelict Park Inn.

The Housing Executive gave commitments that it would look into delays in carrying out repairs to a number of homes in the area because of a change of contractor. This issue was raised by a resident from Jamaica Road as well as Oldpark Councillor Danny Lavery.

Residents from Jamaica/Havana said they would be organising a meeting with the Housing Executive and Belfast City Council around the proposed erection of a bollard in Jamaica St which some residents now say they are opposed to.

The bollard was originally demanded by residents to stop cars being used in a pedestrian area which could be dangerous for children.

The issue of horses running wild in the Ligoniel area was then raised. There were questions about the welfare of the animals in question.

However, serious concerns were raised about the safety of children living in an area of Ligoniel where the horses regularly gallop through unsupervised.

Police and the other relevant agencies committed to dealing with the problem.

The multi agency group will reconvene early next month.