Dissidents disrupt Strabane DPP meeting

Dissident republicans were being blamed today for disrupting the first ever Co Tyrone district policing partnership meeting.

The meeting in Strabane had to be adjourned twice after around 30 supporters of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee - which is the political wing of the Real IRA - movement jeered and shouted abuse at police and those attending the meeting.

The protestors had moved in after supporters of Sinn Fein began leaving having staged their own protest.

SDLP policing board member Alex Attwood condemned the protests describing them as "unnecessary and unreasonable".

However, Policing Board Chairman, Professor Desmond Rea, described last night's meeting as "productive".

He added: "The first public meeting of any DPP is a very significant event for the whole community. On behalf of the entire Policing Board, I want to pay a public tribute to all its members, and in particular to those who have suffered the recent cowardly attacks and intimidation, for their strength of purpose, courage of conviction and determination to serve.

"Despite last night’s demonstration, I understand that the meeting itself was one of the most productive yet with issues of real concern discussed by members and raised by the public with the local district commander."

DPP chairman Tom McBride also commended those who attended saying they had shown "resilience and courage".

(MB)