Leitrim ‘intimidation’ file set for DPP

GARDAÍ investigating alleged intimidation involving Sinn Féin members expect to send a file to the DPP in the coming weeks.

Two Sinn Féin activists were part of a group of six men who allegedly threatened a couple in a pub in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim, last week.

The couple claim the men, one of whom wielded a hurley, accused them of being involved in drug-dealing and told them to leave town.

The incident occurred in O’Mahony’s pub on the town’s Main Street on Monday night of last week.

Last Thursday, gardaí swooped on the home of six men and arrested them for public order offences.

They were detained under Section Four of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and were released that day.

Superintendent James Canon of Manorhamilton Garda Station confirmed yesterday that gardaí were preparing a file for the State prosecutor.

“A file is being prepared. Someone has been appointed as investigating officer. The file will be forwarded to my office in due course and it will then go to the DPP. It should take a couple of weeks.”

Local Sinn Féin councillors last week described the incident as minor and said it had been “blown out of all proportions”.

Supt Canon said the complaint was taken seriously. He said they were investigating possible public order offences at the pub.

He said that while the alleged paramilitary nature of the complaint was not part of the criminal investigation, it was not being ignored by gardaí.

He said witnesses were co-operating with gardaí and some had yet to be spoken to.

He added: “The people of Leitrim are very decent people, they’ve no truck with this kind of carry-on.”