Churches assure PSNI of marching support

Church leaders have met with new PSNI Chief Constable

Church leaders have met with the new PSNI Chief Constable to assure him of their support during the contentions marching season.

George Hamilton recently took up the top job in policing in the North and his officers will be in the frontline in coming days in trying to ease tension around contentious Orange marches.

The meeting, which was attended by the Bishop of Derry, Dr Donal McKeown, was held in Derry’s Strand Road Police Station.

Peaceful

In a statement afterwards, the Churchmen said they wanted “to encourage a peaceful and respectful summer, urging those participating in parades and protests to obey the law, respect the PSNI officers as they carry out their duties, and avoid any behaviour which is not for the overall good of society”.

The statement said that “ahead of the annual Twelfth of July parades, the leaders wanted to assure the Chief Constable of their support at what is a demanding time of the year for the top policing role”.

Also attending the meeting were Bishop Ken Good (representing the Church of Ireland), Rev. Peter Murray (President of the Methodist Church in Ireland), Rev. Dr Rob Craig (representing the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland), Rev. Dr Donald Watts (President of Irish Council of Churches) and Rev. Donald Kerr (Secretary of the Methodist Church in Ireland).

The statement added that “the meeting was an opportunity for the leaders to further affirm their joint support of the PSNI as they seek to protect the community all year round”.