A recent invite extended to the Garda to attend a meeting of the Newry & Mourne PCSP was nothing more than a Sinn Fein stunt, it has been claimed.
DUP MLA William Irwin, speaking after it was revealed that the Garda had refused to attend the meeting, said: “This had nothing to do with cross border cooperation but was simply a pre-election stunt by Sinn Fein.
“There are already numerous official channels in place where the PSNI and Garda can both liaise and work together for the mutual benefit of both jurisdictions.
“To invite a foreign police force to an internal committee of a Northern Ireland local authority is foolish and nothing more than a gimmick. The Garda were absolutely right to snub the request.”
He added: “Micky Brady makes a big issue about cross border criminality. Firstly, I’m delighted that he recognises the border exists and secondly it’s a pity that he and his party voted against the National Crime Agency having powers here in Northern Ireland to deal with the very issues he alludes to.
“The NCA working in conjunction with the PSNI and Garda are best placed to deal with cross border criminality and racketeering.
“The invite to the PCSP meeting was quite rightly snubbed. In many ways there is a desperation in Sinn Fein’s antics which highlights how the Union has never been more secure.
“Indeed, Sinn Fein is doing things like this to distract from the fact that Gerry’s 2016 united-Ireland dream lies in tatters. I’m glad more people than ever before in all sections of our community are content with the Union. Its time Sinn Fein accepted that reality and stopped playing silly games.”
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