Adams calls on PSNI to charge or release suspects

Suspects held for a fortnight following the shootings of security forces in the North should be charged or released, Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said today.

A total of 11 people are in custody for the killing by dissident republicans of two soldiers and a police officer earlier this month.

A 37-year-old man and 17-year-old boy have been held by police investigating the murder of PC Stephen Carroll since March 10, the longest period in custody since the controversial internment without trial period during the Troubles.

Mr Adams said: "There are currently a number of people, including a 17-year-old juvenile, being detained by the PSNI for periods extending beyond human rights best practice. This is not acceptable. They should either be charged now or released."

He added that, regardless of suspected activity, people enjoyed basic human rights.

"If there is evidence which exists against somebody, then that person should be charged and the evidence put before the courts," he said.

"If no such evidence exists then that person should be released. That is the democratic standard which must be adhered to."

PC Carroll was shot in Craigavon, Co Armagh, by dissident republican group the Continuity IRA.

Sappers Patrick Azimkar (aged 21) from London, and Mark Quinsey (aged 23) from Birmingham, were killed by the Real IRA as they collected a pizza delivery at the Massereene Barracks in Antrim.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said: "The police service does not create legislation - we enforce the law as it is enacted.

"When investigating any crime we will use all legal means to bring those responsible before the courts. This we do in compliance with European human rights legislation."

Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said there was only one side for people to take in response to the killings.

"Where you have a situation where people are determined to destroy a peace process and a political process so painstakingly built over so many years, then when you are asked to take sides there's only one side to take and that has to be peace and democracy and that is what this chamber is about," he said.

"That is what these institutions which we are part of are about and there's overwhelming support for that in the chamber, overwhelmingly people reject any return to the old days.

"Parents are concerned about their children's future and how they move forward. We are charged with the responsibility to lead the political process."

He blamed the violence on small groups of young people.

"They have no prospect of success. Their actions, whilst deadly and causing an awful lot of grief and hardship to families, are absolutely futile and have no prospect of success.

"The big story in the US, and I think the big story here on this island of Ireland, is the way in which all of the politicians of this house ... came together to send a very strong message that we are not going to be divided, that we are not going to be deflected."

He said there was only one community, which he represented, and vowed to oppose those wanting to plunge it into mayhem.

"The people who carried out the act or acts did so wondering how Sinn Féin would respond to it, immediately hoping it would create huge difficulties for Sinn Féin or also to the victims."

He said they had received their answer.