INLA Organised Attack on CCTV 'Spy Cameras'

[Danielle Ni Dhighe <danielle@xxxxxxxx>]

Irish News
10 January 2003

INLA Organised Attack on CCTV 'Spy Cameras'
By Barry McCaffrey

Police last night insisted that CCTV cameras attacked by nationalists
in North Belfast would be repaired and put back into action.

The police statement came after the INLA was blamed for setting two
CCTV cameras on fire on Wednesday night in the nationalist Ardoyne
area.

A stolen van was used to ram a CCTV camera at the junction of the
Ardoyne Road and Alliance Avenue at about 9.30pm before it was set on
fire. At around the same time tyres were piled up against CCTV
cameras at Estoril Park and Etna Drive and set alight.

An INLA source last night claimed that up to 40 people had been
involved in the organised attacks on CCTV cameras.

The source said that it was the second time in little over two weeks
that the INLA had attacked the controversial cameras.

"On December 30 nine of these installations were attacked across
North Belfast and on Wednesday night the CCTV cameras in Ardoyne were
again attacked," the source said.

"These attacks are a direct response to the ongoing spying on the
Ardoyne community because it is exactly the same as living in a
loyalist-monitored Big Brother house. These attacks will continue for
as long as these cameras are spying on the people of Ardoyne."

Sinn Fein councillor Margaret McClenaghan said she had no idea who
was responsible for the attacks on the CCTV cameras but described it
as a "community response" to the unwanted cameras.

"People are very angry that they were never consulted about the
erection of these cameras and that they are more about spying on this
community than any kind of protection," she said.

"There are no less than 10 spy cameras on Oldpark barracks looking
into Ardoyne, so why do they need cameras situated on the streets
looking into people's homes?

"Some of these cameras are in the heart of Ardoyne and nowhere near
the interfaces so the argument that they are there to protect
nationalists is nonsense."

Defending the use of the CCTV cameras, a PSNI spokesman said: "Police
are saddened and disheartened at the damage caused to the CCTV
cameras at Alliance Avenue/Ardoyne Road and to equipment at Estoril
Park and Etna Drive.

"However the damage will be repaired.

"CCTV technology is a useful tool in the detection of crime and has
proved to be especially effective in reducing serious public disorder
in interface areas.

"The only people who have anything to fear from the presence of these
cameras are those persons involved in criminal activity and disorder.

"These people have nothing positive to contribute to the
communities."



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