RSF: Tyrone arrests 'deplorable'

Republican Sinn Féin (RSF) has condemned those responsible for the arrest operation carried out in County Tyrone this morning (13th November).

Republican Sinn Féin deplores the arrests in County Tyrone this morning (13th November) of a recently released Republican Prisoner of War and his sister.

Damage was caused to the homes raided, as was the case with recent raids in the Craigavon area of County Armagh. At approximately 1:30a.m. the British Colonial Police gained entry to the former Republican prisoner's home with a chainsaw. An hour and a half later they kicked the door of his sister's house in. Their father went downstairs to investigate, believing that there had been a break-in. He was instantly surrounded by RUC officers and an infra-red light – presumably the sight of a weapon – was trained on his body.

The two siblings are currently being interrogated at Antrim Barracks. Our thoughts are with them and their family during this trying time. It is clear that British forces – not content with having stolen several years of the arrested man's life – continue to harass him and his family in a most vindictive fashion.

Such actions by enemy forces will only increase the resolve of true Republicans to expel the British from our country. Despite the hype of the Provisionals, Free Staters and others, they are in Ireland not as peacekeepers and peacemakers but instead as an occupying power. Their continued presence remains the greatest crime perpetrated against the Irish people.