We represent a number of individuals who are very concerned about their recent arrests by the PSNI. There is a concerning pattern emerging in relation to misuse of Police powers concerning the arrest and interviewing of suspects.

Ciaran Shiels of Madden & Finucane said:

“In relation to a recent arrest in Derry this morning, our client was arrested under PACE legislation and detained in Strand Road.

“He was interviewed for 40 minutes about involvement in a local lottery for dependants of republican ex-prisoners and prisoners on remand still entitled to the presumption of innocence awaiting trial.

“At no time was it put to our client or even detailed in the Custody Record that this arrest was part of an anti-terrorism investigation. These allegations simply did not feature today.

“There is a repetitive picture now emerging of using ‘ordinary’ legislation to arrest and interview suspects, whilst senior PSNI officers make much more serious allegations in respect of them to the media, irrespective of whether they are even charged or any sensitive areas where they reside in the community.

“Like the individuals last week who were arrested primarily in respect of offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, outside of the PSNI station, senior PSNI officers and Gardaí were labelling all of those in custody as being involved in alleged INLA drug dealing and financing, but never putting these allegations to them even once in the interviews under caution so they could at least refute the allegations formally with a view to making representations to the Police Custody Sergeant.”

More information: https://www.derrynow.com/news/news/642117/police-arrest-a-45-year-old-man-in-derry-as-part-of-an-investigation-into-an-unregistered-lottery.html