MLA’s worker ‘badly shaken’ after threats at SDLP office
AN MLA has described how a member of staff was left “badly shaken” after being threatened outside his office.
Daniel McCrossan said the culprit banged on the door of his SDLP premises in Omagh and shouted abuse at one of his workers.
The incident happened shortly before midday on Monday. Police are investigating.
Mr McCrossan said his office worker noticed a woman pulling up outside the office playing loud music from her car and recand ognised her as someone who had come into the office previously shouting abuse.
The woman got out of her car, but the office worker was able to prevent her from gaining full access to the office.
“For about 20 minutes she took abuse which she felt was intimidating, very threatening and borderline violent,” Mr McCrossan told the Belfast Telegraph.
“I don’t want any member of my staff to be exposed to any aggressive behaviour from the members of the public.
“Things have happened in the past, but this year has been quite bad. There is no motive behind it no particular issue that people are acting out about.”
He explained that staff experienced incidents of aggression on a monthly basis, with the perpetrators often contacting the office by telephone.
On one occasion the windows at his constituency office in Strabane were smashed.
Mr McCrossan yesterday met with staff to discuss additional security, although he emphasised that ensuring accessibility for members of the public is still a priority.
The PSNI said it received a report of a woman causing annoyance and inquiries are ongoing.