PSNI personnel moved the remains of a suicide victim and positioned his body in different poses for photographs which were subsequently shared through social media, it has been revealed.

Among the different poses and photographs, the officers had exposed the dead man’s genitals. Several of the photos that the PSNI officers had then edited included speech bubbles and sectarian terminology including references to ‘taigs’.

Speaking on the issue, Pádraic Mac Coitir said, “For decades now the PSNI have strived to present a professional image as they attempt to sell themselves to the Republican community.”

“The heavily armed force continues to utilise the youth and community sector to push their ‘hearts and minds’ agenda across the Six Counties, all the while hiding and covering up continued issues with personnel which often make news headlines across the Six Counties.”

“The family in this particular case would likely not have known what had happened only for several members of the force publicly abusing politicians and others via social media trolling accounts; the investigation of which brought more issues to light. Indeed, this issue is now part of a probe dealing with 11 separate but related incidents over recent years. Offences under investigation include computer misuse, data protection breaches, misconduct in a public office, harassment, the suspected supply of illegal drugs, and the suspected theft, possession and supply of prescription drugs.”

“Additionally, in their dealings with the force, the family were not told the full extent of what had happened or what was being investigated but were slowly drip fed information over a series of meetings. It would seem that the public relations fallout of this mess took precedence over the families needs as the family were told the matter was ‘a serious affair’ and that they ‘weren’t to discuss it’.”

“At least one of the personnel involved have been suspended for several years now with full pay. During this time, the PSNI have been pushing hard with several public relations campaigns to polish up their image and supposed professionalism.”

Pádraic said, “The question that now needs to be asked is, why is it that, more than two decades since their supposed reformation, PSNI officers feel more than comfortable to ask relatives to leave the room where a family member lay dead, to then take the remains of the dead man, to pose his lifeless body, expose his genitals, to record videos and take photographs? All whilst the family waited in another room. Those images were then edited to include sectarian content like ‘taigs’, and shared amongst the PSNI.”

“What sort of atmosphere must exist within this heavily armed force that allows their members to still feel comfortable to express sectarian terminology and opinions so openly within their ranks?”

“Is it that the PSNI has done little to change the bigoted and sectarian nature of the force that was fully and wholly incorporated into its ranks in 2001?”

“We all now need to collectively look beyond the nice white paint on their old grey jeeps – the RUC has not gone away you know.”