Death threat 'will not deter' police board member

A member of a local policing board in Derry today vowed to continue her work despite a death threat.

Dissident republicans were blamed for sending Marion Quinn, who serves on the city’s District Policing Partnership, three bullets and a mass card to her home in the Galliagh area.

Two weeks ago, a hoax device was attached to her daughter’s car resulting in a bomb alert at former SDLP leader John Hume’s office.

Mrs Quinn, who is an independent of the DPP in Derry, said: “The threat was sent through the post.

“My daughter said to me this morning: ‘Mummy, you better sit down’ as it was opened.

“The envelope contained three bullets and a Mass card.

“Two weeks ago a hoax device was attached to my daughter’s car. That was terrible because I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty that her car had been targeted because of my involvement on the board.

“With this latest incident, there is a feeling of shock but at the same time anger is kicking in.

“I went on to the board feeling I could do some good work for my community on the policing issues affecting them – petty crime, road traffic, anti-social behaviour. Nothing has changed.”

District Police Partnerships were set up across Northern Ireland under reforms initiated by a commission headed by former Hong Kong Governor Chris Patten and implemented by the British government.

The boards work alongside the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s 29 District Command Units in trying to meet community policing needs.

Community leaders and local councillors sit on the DPPs.

Sinn Féin has boycotted the boards, insisting police reforms need to go further if they are to participate in the new policing structures.

Hardline republicans have, however, threatened board members.

Mrs Quinn said today: “For over 30 years my community cried out for decent, accountable policing.

“This is the first chance we have had to deliver that.

“The people who carry out acts like this aren’t interested in law and order. They want lawlessness so they can continue making too much money through illegal activities.”

PSNI Superintendent Johnny McCarroll was “disgusted” by the incident which he said amounted to intimidation not just of Mrs Quinn but her family.

“Local people who serve on the district policing partnerships and indeed join the PSNI are the people of real courage in this community unlike the cowards who seek to intimidate anyone who wants to contribute to policing in a democratic society,” he said.

SDLP councillor Gerard Diver also condemned the incident.

“This is an outrageous attack on a woman trying to ensure community policing is accountable for the first time in our history,” he said.

“It is an attack not just on her and her family but an attack on anyone who is or has considered being a DPP member.

“I am sure Marion and her family will be upset but I hope she will not be deterred.

“It is typical of people like these that they would choose vulnerable people like women and their daughters for these type of attacks.”