Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The St. Patrick's Day parade marches down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan AP/Press Association Images

The PSNI are set to miss the Paddy's Day parade in New York

The six-counties police force has pulled out of the showpiece parade in Manhattan on March 17

THE PSNI WILL not be sending representatives to the St Patrick’s Day parade in New York city this March.

Last year’s parade was an historic occasion in that six officers of the North’s police force marched in the parade, the first time any had done so since the PSNI’s formation in 2001.

“We can confirm that there will be no PSNI officers attending the 2015 New York St Patrick’s Day parade in an official capacity,” said Superintendent Sam Donaldson in a statement.

When contacted for comment regarding the reasons for the withdrawal, a PSNI spokesman was quick to pour cold water over any suggestion Republican banners and sentiment at last year’s parade might be responsible.

There are major cutbacks going on with the force at the moment, we have to find £38 million in savings.  As such I can’t see how Republican sentiments would be relevant.
 What is far more likely is the fact that sending six boys over to participate wouldn’t come cheap.

Former Sinn Féin Mayor of Derry and member of the Northern Ireland Police Board Gearóid Ó hEára similarly reasoned that financial reasons are more likely the cause.

goh Gearóid Ó hEára Twitter / Gearóid Ó hEára Twitter / Gearóid Ó hEára / Gearóid Ó hEára

“It hasn’t come under any agenda that I’m aware of at the policing board,” he told TheJournal.ie.

I imagine that there might just be a notion that money is very tight and sending a delegation across there might not be as productive as you might think.
At a time when frontline services are being cut due to lack of funds, people have to get their priorities straight.

Unionist MLA Jim Allister  had earlier expressed his satisfaction at the PSNI withdrawal.

“Before Christmas, I wrote to the PSNI pointing out that Martin Galvin, a hardline Republican, has been named an aide to the 2015 parade’s grand marshal,” said Allister, who represents the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) told the Belfast Newsletter.

I welcome the fact that the force have assured me they have not been invited to this year’s event.

While it had been suggested that the PSNI’s involvement in last year’s parade could have led to clashes the parade passed off peacefully with only a handful of protesters present.

Lione Moscoso / YouTube

Read: The Tories tried to use Sinn Féin to have a go at Ed Miliband>

Read: This is what an €800,000 cocaine and ecstasy haul looks like>

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
87 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds