26-County Special Branch raid Republican Sinn Féin PRO’s home

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Thursday June 30, 2011 15:26 by Seán Ó Murchú - Republican Sinn Féin

At 8am on Thursday June 30 five members of the 26-County Special Branch carried out a search on the home of Geraldine McNamara National PRO of Republican Sinn Fein.

They had a warrant under section 30 of the draconian Offences Against the State Act but continually refused to say why they were searching her home. They searched the premises for more than an hour before leaving after confiscating her phones. Geraldine feels this is a direct result of her appointment as PRO last month and an effort to intimidate her. Republican Sinn Fein is an open political organisation and we have the right to express our views she said. They tired to question her about the people whose names are on her phone but she refused. They also questioned her son Conor and one of them made derogatory remarks about his late father Bobby.

The house was left in disarray as usual with many items of clothing and books thrown on the floor of her bedroom. Geraldine said she is going to carry on her duties as PRO of Republican Sinn Fein and is not going to be intimidated.