Northern Ireland

Chief Constable Simon Byrne to meet Crossmaglen councillor over PSNI "show of strength" outside border station

Chief constable Simon Byrne posed with armed PSNI officers in Crossmaglen
Chief constable Simon Byrne posed with armed PSNI officers in Crossmaglen Chief constable Simon Byrne posed with armed PSNI officers in Crossmaglen

CHIEF Constable Simon Byrne is to meet a Crossmaglen councillor who has demanded an explanation over his "show of strength" with PSNI officers outside a "militarised" border station.

The police chief posed for the Christmas Day social media snap with officers holding heavy weapons, including rifles with `night-sights' attached.

They were standing outside the heavily fortified police base, which now opens just six hours a week.

In a tweet, the chief constable praised the officers' "sense of duty and optimism", saying it was inspiring.

However, there was outrage in the area, with Sinn Féin assembly member Conor Murphy describing it as "offensive to the local community and utterly unacceptable".

SDLP councillor Pete Byrne said he has now agreed to meet him next week at Ardmore Station in Newry to discuss what happened.

"It was a completely ill-judged picture and I want to get to the bottom of what the purpose of the picture was. Was it a personal judgement call?

"A lot of people in the community are talking to me and asking if it is part of a bigger game plan to get more resources into the border area and to gauge public opinion."

The councillor said he will also be pressing for "proper policing" in Crossmaglen.

"What is the use of a militarised station in 2019/2020? We need a proper policing service with a police station that is open. That would be welcomed in and around Crossmaglen, to deal with burglaries and (other crimes).

"There is no need for weaponry with `night sights' in Crossmaglen in 2019."