Sinn Fein councillor Tony McCaul
A SINN councillor has said republicans can’t rule out using violence to achieve their aims in future.
The remarks were made by Tony McCaul, a councillor on the Causeway Coast and Glens council.
Councillor McCaul, who is also a member of the area’s Policing and Community Safety Partnership, wrote on Facebook: “Republicans can never rule out any tactic, including violence.
“I now believe politics is expedient, that view could change if circumstances change.”
He made the remarks during a heated exchange on social media on Saturday with Thomas ‘Dixie’ Elliot, an ex-IRA prisoner from Derry who is a staunch critic of the Sinn Fein leadership.
Unionists have reacted angrily to the comments saying they were “particularly disconcerting” coming so soon after the attempted murder of a prison officer.
They called on the party called on the Sinn Fein leadership to take action against the politician.
The 64-year-old councillor was arrested in Dungiven in November 2014 by detectives investigating paramilitary activity in Co Derry.
His council colleague, former Limavady Mayor Sean McGlinchey, was also arrested.
Both men were later released unconditionally.
Speaking after his arrest in 2014, Councillor McCaul said the police had questioned him about the activities of the ‘North Derry Republican Group’.
He described himself as wholly innocent and said his detention by police was “totally unjustified” and distressful.
The PSNI defended their actions. Detective Chief Inspector Una Jennings said: “This is a wide-ranging investigation encompassing numerous incidents, most of which took place over a four-year period dating back to January 2011.
“It has been conducted to the highest professional standards and is subject to all the checks and balances provided by accountability arrangements and the criminal justice system.
“Police have a duty, to victims, and to the community, to follow all lines of enquiry without fear or favour.”
Councillor McCaul told the Belfast Telegraph at the time that he had lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman about his arrest but that the Ombudsman had deemed his detention lawful.
