We are all for joined-up, cross-sectoral security. And we can talk the talk. Track back through Global Dashboard, and you’ll soon be au fait with the language of community resilience, breaking down institutional silos, scanning the strategic horizon, etc. It’s a source of satisfaction that this blog is gaining semi-oracular status among those who care (nay, think outside the box) about this stuff.
But please don’t use this language when confiscating matches, kerosene, bits of wood or other bonfire materials. A lesson learned the hard way in Belfast:
Sinn Fein Assembly member Daithi McKay claimed he was assaulted yesterday following a row over a republican bonfire in Co Antrim. Mr McKay and a party colleague took several punches to the head outside a house in Dunclug Park, Ballymena. This was the latest incident in the fall-out over the decision by the local community association to cancel a bonfire marking the anniversary of the 1971 internment of republicans.
A police spokesman confirmed: “At around 13:50 we received a call to Dunclug Park about an assault on two members of Sinn Fein. “We are investigating the allegations. Police believe the incident was a reaction by a small number of people in the area to a multi-agency approach to the removal of bonfire material.”
So, nothing to do with the historical legacy of internment then. Phew. (Thanks to Gordon Peake for this – I’ve noted his acute commentary on our art before).
