The call comes after rioting began outside a local nightclub in Newcastle due to the over-zealous actions of police officers.
A spokesperson for East Down Ogra Shinn Fein said:
“Last month’s trouble in the Donard car park did not just happen for no reason. A number of police officers adopted a very heavy handed approach when dealing with a group of young people after a small scuffle broke out near to the entrance of a local night club. Whilst in no way condoning what subsequently occurred on the night in question, their ‘gung ho’ handling of the situation was the catalyst for the serious street disturbances that followed.
“It is clear that some members’ of the PSNI are ill equipped to handle even a relatively minor altercation amongst teenagers. The police seem to adopt a more aggressive approach when dealing with public order offences if those allegedly involved are under 21. Young people living in the six counties suffer enough discrimination in a whole range of issues without the PSNI adding to the problem.
“It is also quite disgraceful that a number of local councillors were very quick to point the finger and blame the young people for what occurred. Instead of examining the facts, and seeking eyewitness reports from the people who were actually present in the Donard Park when the trouble happened, we had elected representatives such as Councillor Eamon O’Neill stigmatising the young people of Newcastle by saying they should be ashamed of themselves.
“Last month’s trouble in the Donard car park did not just happen for no reason. A number of police officers adopted a very heavy handed approach when dealing with a group of young people after a small scuffle broke out near to the entrance of a local night club. Whilst in no way condoning what subsequently occurred on the night in question, their ‘gung ho’ handling of the situation was the catalyst for the serious street disturbances that followed.
“It is clear that some members’ of the PSNI are ill equipped to handle even a relatively minor altercation amongst teenagers. The police seem to adopt a more aggressive approach when dealing with public order offences if those allegedly involved are under 21. Young people living in the six counties suffer enough discrimination in a whole range of issues without the PSNI adding to the problem.
“It is also quite disgraceful that a number of local councillors were very quick to point the finger and blame the young people for what occurred. Instead of examining the facts, and seeking eyewitness reports from the people who were actually present in the Donard Park when the trouble happened, we had elected representatives such as Councillor Eamon O’Neill stigmatising the young people of Newcastle by saying they should be ashamed of themselves.
“The future should be built on an Ireland of equals, and this includes equality for young people - the PSNI need to take this into consideration when dealing with such incidents in the future.”
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