Supt Mark McEwan defends decision to move RUC plaque from public view at Strand Road PSNI station
DERRY’S police chief has defended the removal of a plaque for murdered RUC officers away from members of the public at Strand Road PSNI station.
The decision by Supt Mark McEwan to move the plaque to another part of the station away from the public fuelled anger and concerns from unionists about the “rewriting of history”.
The tribute to murdered RUC officers was recently taken down from display on the ground floor of the Strand Road station – angering bereaved relatives and the Police Federation.
But Supt Mark McEwan said: “I understand the repositioning of these memorials may have offended some people, however it was never my intention to cause any distress or hurt and I wholeheartedly apologise for any distress this may have caused.
“My intention in creating this memorial area was to have an appropriate place which would afford officers and staff additional privacy to remember our RUC and PSNI colleagues who have sadly lost their lives.”
Supt McEwan said the new site would house pictures and photographs donated by the families of police officers, and that a “rededication service” would be held within weeks.
In an internal memo to staff, Supt McEwan appeared to explain that the plaque was moved so it would no longer be seen by the general public.
He said: “As the front inquiry office is still utilised by members of the public, the memorials have been moved to a new memorial area located outside the constable’s briefing room on the third floor.”
UUP MLA Ross Hussey, a former RUC reservist and member of the Policing Board, said he was deeply concerned at its removal and planned to visit the station.
“If these plaques are now being hidden from public view I will find it personally offensive because that would mean they are trying to sweep the service of the RUC and PSNI officers who gave their lives under the carpet,” he said.
Derry DUP MLA Gary Middleton said the revelations will “inevitably lead to fresh pain for people already conscious of attempts to rewrite history”.
He added: “As soon as we were informed about this decision my colleague Gregory Campbell MP spoke to senior officers and expressed his concern, requesting immediate (if belated) discussions be held with relatives.
“We now understand that contact has been made with some relatives of those murdered, but the question remains why this basic and fundamental courtesy was not followed initially.”
“There were very strong concerns raised with us, particularly by former officers that some attempt was being made to airbrush the Royal Ulster Constabulary from history. This view is entirely understandable when decisions are taken without consultation.”
At the height of the Troubles, Strand Road was the base for around 500 officers – including three Mobile Support Units, a large team of CID detectives and Special Branch.
Catholic RUC officer Constable Michael ‘Massey’ Ferguson, who was stationed at Strand Road, was shot dead while walking through Derry city centre in the early 1990s.
Police Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said the decision to move the plaque from public view was “regrettable”.
“At the very least, there ought to have been proper consultation with the relatives and former colleagues of murdered colleagues honoured on the plaques,” he said.
“Sadly, there was no consultation which is why there is such annoyance and disappointment today. In other stations, plaques and memorials have been moved to more private locations but the views of those who matter most were always taken into account.
“The bottom line for us is that we remember all of our murdered colleagues, and that that act is conducted with dignity and the utmost of respect.”
Mr Lindsay added: “On this occasion, there was no consultation and that is to be regretted. In future, no such move should be considered without first seeking the views of those who have to live day and daily with the barbarism that claimed the lives of their loved ones.”
TUV leader Jim Allister said: “Given the sacrifice of the RUC during the Troubles I cannot think of a more appropriate thing to inspire officers currently serving than a tribute to those who lost their lives in the fight against terror.
“The apology which has been offered is completely hollow.
“What is needed here are not empty platitudes but the restoration of the tribute to its original location.
“One cannot help wondering if this tribute was removed because of the danger of offending those who continue to justify and defend the IRA’s wicked campaign.
“I will be raising this matter with the PSNI and the Justice Minister.”
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