Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Assembly to be recalled over attacks
THE Assembly to be recalled from its Easter recess to discuss the disorder.
Alliance Party leader Naomi Long submitted a petition to debate a motion condemning the attacks on police by loyalists.
It achieved the required 30 signatures from MLAS after receiving support from other parties.
The Assembly sitting is expected to happen on Thursday.
Justice Minister Mrs Long said the violence “must be condemned by a united Assembly” and “anything less is just allowing a culture of lawlessness to grow”.
She said: “Now is the time for leadership, for the PSNI and rule of law to be supported and for every representative to show the leadership their mandate requires them to deliver.
“We are facing an extremely serious situation.
“Weeks of tensions from a number of issues, incited and encouraged by a number of people who really should know better, has brought us to this point.
“To the PSNI officers injured in the line of duty, to anyone who has suffered distress, loss and damage as a result of these incidents, I’m sorry the system has failed you.
“The violence has to stop, but so does the political cover given through vague comments and empty threats.
“There is no room for ambiguity – this violence must be condemned by a united Assembly, which fully supports the rule of law in Northern Ireland.
“Anything less is just allowing a culture of lawlessness to grow and further poison our community.”
I appeal to all people of influence to put a stop to this CHIEF SUPT DAVY BECK YESTERDAY