Irish Daily Star

Arrested over Pride flag swastika meme UK COPS CUFF IRISHMAN FOR ‘CAUSING ANXIETY’

- ■■Robbie KANE

Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan has been assisting their case.

She said: “There is no way someone like him shouldn’t qualify.”

The Senator is trying to fast-track an emergency applicatio­n. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “The continued increase in the numbers experienci­ng homelessne­ss is very disturbing.”

POLICE in the UK have criticised themselves - after this Dubliner was arrested for “causing anxiety” by retweeting a meme of a swastika made out of Pride flags.

Darren Brady (51) – who was “born and bred” in the capital – slammed cops after he was handcuffed at his home in Aldershot on Friday.

The British Army veteran served 30 years including in Afghanista­n, Iraq, Bosnia and Northern Ireland.

Footage shared on social media showed an officer who told Mr Brady he was being apprehende­d because his post had “caused anxiety” and reported to authoritie­s.

But the force has now criticised its own actions. PCC Donna Jones, crime commission­er for Hampshire, blasted the arrest, saying: “I am concerned about both the proportion­ality and necessity of the police’s response to this incident.”

Mr Brady told The Star: “The whole event was streamed live on Facebook. I was taken away and spent hours in a police cell.

“I was then released facing no further investigat­ion or charges, but no apology. “The public backlash against Hampshire Police, and the public support I received since the incident has been immense.

“And to put the swastika into context, I posted it in a debates group for discussion, and one person was offended.”

In video footage, Mr Brady can be heard asking: “Why am I in cuffs?”

An officer responds: “It didn’t have to come to this at all.” Mr Brady replied: “Tell us why you escalated it to this level because I don’t understand.”

The officer adds: “Someone has been caused anxiety based on your social media post. This is why you have been arrested.”

Disregard

A former police officer, Harry Misser, was also arrested after claiming he had tried to prevent Brady from being detained.

He said: “Hampshire Police showed a blatant disregard of the law. They approached Mr Brady and acted as summary judge, jury and executione­r but didn’t know what offence he’d actually committed.

“They said he was being arrested for causing anxiety which is utterly ridiculous.”

A department source last night said the plan is “currently under considerat­ion,” but that more work is required before it makes it back to Cabinet.

The proposals were welcomed last night by civil groups, including the National Women’s Council of Ireland.

It is calling on the Government to hike core social welfare payments by at least €20 to address the rising cost of living,

The NWCI’s Sandra McCullagh said: “Government must take decisive action to protect people from poverty and to ensure a decent income for all.”

 ?? ?? OUT OF OPTIONS: Natasha White with her family, Andre (14), Cali (five) and Carter (nine) at their Ballyfermo­t home
OUT OF OPTIONS: Natasha White with her family, Andre (14), Cali (five) and Carter (nine) at their Ballyfermo­t home
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 ?? ?? CUFFED: Irishman Darren Brady (also left) being arrested by Hampshire police
CUFFED: Irishman Darren Brady (also left) being arrested by Hampshire police
 ?? ?? IMAGE: The Pride flag swastika
IMAGE: The Pride flag swastika

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