West Tyrone Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Decision to scrap section 44 vindicates Sinn Féin's concerns.

Published: 8 July, 2010

Sinn Fein councillor Marty McColgan has said the decision to scrap powers given to the PSNI under section 44 has vindicated Sinn Fein's stance on the issue. The PSNI suspended the powers after the European Court of Human Rights upheld a decision made originally in January that the powers were an abuse of Human Rights.

Sinn Féin have in the past criticised the PSNI for abusing the powers. However welcoming their suspension Marty McColgan said the powers must be consigned to the dustbin of history:

"I first of all welcome the effect scrapping of this legislation. The section 44 legislation was in my view counterproductive for the PSNI at a time when they should be trying to build confidence within the nationalist community. This legislation and its operation alienated the community from policing."


"The PSNI have previously said this legislation was needed to bring an end to armed actions by various groups throughout the north. However what we have seen is a complete abuse of the power and if you looked at the figure of people being stopped and searched the fact that it was abused is clear to be seen. Additionally the overwhelming majority of people who were held under the stop and search powers were not arrested or charged.


"The European court of Human Rights supported the view that the powers were an abuse of Human Rights in their ruling in January and which was upheld this week. This ruling vindicates Sinn Féin's concern regarding the flagrant abuse of Section 44 powers by the PSNI.