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Northern Ireland Office

Answer

Mr. McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons participated in protest actions in Portadown on 2 July wearing T-shirts soliciting support for the Ulster Freedom Fighters; how many persons carried the banner with the inscription Shankill Road UFF 2 Battalion C Company; how many photographs were taken of this parade by the police; how many participants have now been identified; what actions against these persons are being taken by the police; how many have been charged with criminal offences; and if police have identified the organisers of the event. [130464] Mr. Ingram: The investigations into this incident on 3 July are still at an early stage. However, the Royal Ulster Constabulary have advised that approximately 50 persons were dressed wearing the T-shirts referred to. Two persons carried the flag. Video tape has not yet been fully processed and the number of still photographs from it has yet to be quantified. There is an investigatory process relating to the use of video evidence and at 14 July no controlled viewings have taken place because of the demand on resources. When evidence has been fully collated and analysed, and offences and offenders identified, files will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for directions. As a result of this no persons have yet been charged to date and no formal identifications yet made.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

354 c289-90W; 130464

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Admissibility of evidence Criminal investigation Crime Clothing Photographs Parades Video recordings Ulster Freedom Fighters Portadown

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk