Gun linked to Narrow Water attack is seized from republican museum
POLICE have seized a rifle linked to the Narrow Water massacre which was on display at a republican museum in west Belfast.
The Roddy McCorley Society has amassed a collection of items related to the Troubles and associated with the republican tradition, as well as some items from loyalists.
One of the items is a British soldier’s rifle from the Narrow Water attack by the IRA in 1979, in which 18 British soldiers died.
The museum also displays a pair of Colonel Gaddafi’s slippers.
Police have now seized the rifle after concerns from Troubles victims that the museum was “glorifying terrorism”.
Detective Chief Inspector Zoe McKee, from the PSNI’s Legacy Investigation Branch, said officers attended the Roddy McCorley Social Club and “engaged with representatives of the museum”.
“Following assessment, we are now in possession of this artefact, and further enquiries are being progressed,” she said.
Jonathan Ganesh, from the Docklands Victims’ Association (DVA), said he was also concerned that £1m from Belfast City Council has been earmarked for the Roddy McCorley museum.
Yesterday he told the Nolan Show: “At the DVA offices in London we have had a number of emails and telephone calls from victims, not just victims of the Troubles, but other terrorist atrocities.
“We find it extremely offensive to say the least. We have to be very careful in the future,” he said.
“This museum... are advertising a gun and they are also advertising slippers belonging to Gaddafi. These items... I feel glorify terrorism.”
A Belfast City Council spokesman said: “An indicative ringfenced allocation of £1m has been agreed ‘in principle’ at this stage. This does not constitute a final investment decision.
“As with all projects, these will be required to go through the council’s three-stage approval process and committee will be kept up to date on progress.”
The Roddy McCorley Society was approached for comment. However, a response was not received at the time of going to press.