RUC Seize Two Brothers in Newry and Armagh

national | miscellaneous | press release Saturday September 06, 2008 12:07 by Richard Walsh - Republican Sinn Féin

RSF hit out and the seizure of two of their members in Newry and South Armagh.

The British colonial police took two brothers from their homes in Newry and Meigh early on Friday evening. A large party forced entry into their homes at approximately 18:00 hours GMT. The head of one of the households described the raiders as “behaving like madmen”.

“They rushed in and pushed my wife out of the way. Then they ran over to my son and handcuffed him. After taking my other son from his home, they returned to raid it,” he said.

Both of the men are being held at the so-called “Serious Crime Suite” in the maximum-security Antrim RUC Barracks. Despite all the rush and commotion last night, the RUC have yet to bring them in for interrogation.

A spokesman for Republican Sinn Féin said that the homes of both men had previously been raided in February of this year. “One of the men was taken to Antrim, and subsequently released without charge,” he added.

“The two men are members of Republican Sinn Féin. One of them is Cathaoirleach (Chair) of Comhairle Uladh (Ulster Executive).

“At the time of the previous raids, we asked whether this was the result of the 'critical engagement' threatened by Conor Murphy. Indeed, the father of the two enquired of the RUC whether they were Gerry Adams' new men.”