History as PSNI officers attend Dundalk policing committee

Tuesday's JPC meeting in the Townhall was a historic one as two members of the PSNI Superintendent Norman Haslett and Chief Inspector Lynn Corbett were in attendance.

The PSNI officers were welcomed by Vice-Chairman John Reilly who said:

“As someone from the border area... to see the transformation of policing and PSNI officers going into shops to buy tea and coffee in Crossmaglen is something that would have been unthinkable even six years ago.. it's a great step forward for people from the border area.”

Independent councillor Maeve Yore similarly welcomed the officers saying: "Never in my lifetime did I think I would see PSNI Officers in Dundalk Chamber and I welcome you both - the success of any organisation working together is communication, collaboration, respect and trust - we lost two brave men here from Louth Garda division and I acknowledge the co-operation with those murder enquiries.”

She also said that, “legacy issues have to be addressed in the North there will never be true and lasting peace until justice is served on murderers from all sides, Dundalk families are still seeking answers to atrocities committed and action and ownership is needed."

Supt Haslett detailed how both forces had been working more closely with each other in recent years on a range of issues and how officers in South Armagh could now patrol the area more freely and interact with the local community.

Kevin Meenan and Conor Keelan both labelled the attendance of the officers as a great step forward.