That pending the creation of an alI-Ireland Policing service, this Ard Fheis calls for the creation of a new police service in the Six Counties which can attract widespread support from, and be seen as an integral part of the community as a whole.

We understand that the unionist community has a strong attraction to the RUC, and that the wish to retain the RUC has been clearly expressed by unionist politicians. However, this cannot overide the need to produce proposals, in line with the Good Friday Agreement, for a police service that is capable of enjoying the support of all the community.

Ard Chomhairle

That this Ard Fheis believes that nothing less than total disbandment of the RUC be acceptable.

Cumann Seamus Harvey, Donegal

That the Ard Fheis views the Community Restorative Justice Project as a serious attempt to tackle anti-social behaviour in nationalist areas in the absence of an acceptable police force.

Bryan Smith Cumann, Craigavon, Upper Bann

That this Ard Fheis calls for an independent international investigation and inquiry into the murders of human rights lawyers Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson and the full publication of the Stevens Report.

The RUC have consistently refused over a ten-year period to properly investigate the murder of Pat Finucane, and the Stevens Inquiry into allegations of collusion have never been made public. Death threats against these, and other solicitors, have never been properly investigated, and no action has been taken to end this practice. Now, ten years later, the similarities in the circumstances leading to the murder of Rosemary Nelson point to the most urgent need for lawyers to be protected in their crucial work of trying to defend basic human rights in the north of Ireland.

Ard Chomhairle

That this Ard Fheis calls for an end to the ongoing harassment of nationalists and republicans in the north of Ireland by the RUC. This pattern of harassment and intimidation has included verbal abuse, threats, a heavy-handed presence in nationalist areas, attacks on peaceful demonstrations and pressure on a wide spectrum of ordinary citizens to become informers. This contrasts sharply with a failure to protect nationalists and isolated Catholic-family homes which have come under attack.

Ard Chomhairle

That this Ard Fheis demands and end to co-operation between the Garda Síochána and the RUC, as the latter force stands discredited on local, national and intnernational opinion. By co-operating with the sectarian RUC the Garda Síochána places itself beyond the margins of respect and credibility. The RUC was established and has continued to function as the armed wing of the Unionist party, to maintain that party in power in the Six Counties and to suppress any attempts by nationalists in the Six Counties to improve their situation in the political, social and economic life of that statelet. It is widely believed that members of the RUC have been involved in the murders of Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson amongst many others. Members of the same RUC sat and watched as Robert Hamill was kicked to death. This same RUC at the highest level successfully impeded the Stalker, Stevens and Sampson inquiries into the forces's criminal collusion with loyalist death squads and its shoot-to-kill policy. This Ard Fheis urges the Department of Justice to instruct the Garda Síochána to end all association and co-operation with the discredited and irredeemable RUC.

Cumann Uí hAnluain/Mhic Mathúna/Laighneach, Muineacháin

That this Ard Fheis calls on the government for the repressive legislation introduced after the Omagh bombing to be reversed and calls for the closure of the Special Criminal Court.

Cumann Traolach Mac Suibhne, Corcaigh

That this Ard Fheis demands that the Garda Special Branch and Gardaí Síochána as a whole be reformed as part of the peace process.

Cumann Guaire, County Wexford

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