Stormont MLA interviewed by police over Drumcree protests

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 18:38 · Archive

A People Before Profit assembly member was interviewed by police investigating protests on Garvaghy Road during the Drumcree parading dispute.

Gerry Carroll, a People Before Profit assembly member for West Belfast, was interviewed by police investigating protests on Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh. The demonstrations were part of a 13-day stand-off that blocked a contentious Orange Order march from passing along the mainly nationalist street. Carroll attended the Police Service of Northern Ireland station in Belfast city centre, accompanied by a solicitor, and spent nearly two hours being interviewed.

Carroll said the interview was voluntary and that he gave a 'prepared statement' to officers. He said there were 'holes everywhere in this case' and that he gave a 'very robust and strong statement'. He stated he was 'exercising my right to free expression and peaceful assembly' and said: 'When a community asks for support that's exactly when elected representatives should turn up.'

Police investigating the protests began issuing letters last Thursday seeking interviews with people 'reasonably suspected' of committing offences linked to the demonstrations. First Minister Michelle O'Neill and several other senior Sinn Féin politicians have confirmed receiving such letters from police.

How it is being reported

• Assembly member interviewed by police over Drumcree protestsPeople Before Profit’s Gerry Carroll was among several politicians asked to attend interviews over their involvement in the demonstrations on Garvaghy Road.BBC Northern Ireland · 16 Oct, 17:54
• Stormont MLA Gerry Carroll interviewed by police over Garvaghy Road protestBelfast Telegraph · 16 Oct, 17:53

In this story: Gerry Carroll · People Before Profit · Michelle O'Neill · Garvaghy Road · Portadown · West Belfast

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