“We hold Sinn Féin directly responsible for this” – Pól Torbóid

Recruitment posters for Britain’s ‘Royal Navy’ have appeared adjacent to PSNI advertisements along West Belfast arterial routes following Sinn Féin’s recent endorsement of the front line force.

Lasair Dhearg spokesperson Pól Torbóid said “We were made aware of the Royal Navy advertising throughout the course of today as a number of locals had contacted our organisation citing our recent highlighting of similar PSNI posters.”

“We do not need to recount the terrible history of British State forces in Ireland, for it is well known. That history lives on in the hearts and minds of those in our community who suffered greatly at the hands of those forces.”

The posters state ‘Now recruiting reservists in Belfast’ alongside a Royal Navy flag featuring a St. George’s Cross and Union Jack.

Torbóid continued, “It is quite clear that, in recent weeks, a clear move toward the further ‘normalisation’ of Britain’s security forces in Ireland has been taking place. Alongside the very public Sinn Féin endorsement of the PSNI, a more visible presence of the force was seen on the ground. This featured the very unusual site of PSNI foot patrols in the heart of Republican communities such as Lenadoon and elsewhere – no doubt backed up by heavily armed and armoured personnel, parked in side streets.”

“The British State now feel secure enough in their position to role out these highly offensive advertisements in the heart of the communities they once decimated, and they are doing so without any opposition from Stormont political parties.”

“We hold Sinn Féin directly responsible for this.”

ENDS