Paramilitary style shootings in Poleglass and Lagmore, areas of west Belfast.

Thursday 08 April 10

By Bronagh- member of Belfast WIMPS crew.

On January 23^rd and February 9^th there were paramilitary style shootings in Poleglass and Lagmore, areas of west Belfast. The incidents involved 3 young male aged 16, 19 and 20, all very close in age to myself and the rest of the WIMPS crew. I decided to start a campaign to raise awareness that these styles of attack are still happening in this day and age.

At WIMPS we became increasingly aware of the fact that there was not much news coverage at the time of the attacks on the BBC website there was a paragraph or two on the issue and no follow up stories. Around the times of both incidents the talks on devolving policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland were going on. This may not have had an affect on the lack of publicity that these incidents got but I personally believe that it has.

Both of the incidents happened in my local area, one in particular happened a five-minute walk from my front door and on the way to the local primary school.  So I decided to take action through the WIMPS website and email my local MLAs and MP.  I emailed them on Wednesday 10^th February and after 5 days the only response I have recieved is from local MLA and MP Gerry Adams. In his opinion ‘The acts are wrong and need to stop immediately’. I had asked Mr. Adams why there was no press release from them condemning the acts publically, however I did not get a response to this specific incident but other press releases from 2009.

What I want to see happen is that people are made aware of the incidents and that they take a stand to stop them. As we have in place the means to stop anti-social behavior and local crime such as the PSNI. I think local communities need to place their trust in the PSNI and the courts instead of turning to the local paramilitary groups especially in this day in age where the PSNI and courts can deal with these things effectively.

I know that some of you reading this think I am wrong and believe that you can not trust the PSNI and the courts, however times have changed and all the parties have signed up to the Hillsborough agreement, I think it is time for the whole of Northern Ireland to move on from the past. These Paramilitary groups carrying out these attacks need to be stopped and I hope to interview the local MLAs, community members and police local to the areas that they are happening in.

 If you have any views on anything that I have said in the article don’t hesitate to comment on our forum.