BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH

SEVERE physical punishment could be meted out to those found to be co-operating with the PSNI.

That's the claim by leading IRSP man Willie Gallagher who has said he is in no doubt that action will be taken against those who inform to the police.

He was speaking after a teenager came forward to highlight the fact that he has been approached continually by the PSNI to become an informer.

"The IRSP realises that Sinn Fein is calling on people to co-operate with the PSNI but I am in no doubt that anyone who co-operates with the PSNI regarding INLA activity will suffer severe physical consequences, regardless of what Sinn Fein says, does or thinks."

ARRESTED

18 year old Ryan McNulty, from Strabane, visited the offices of the Strabane Chronicle this week with Mr Gallagher, after approaching the IRSP about PSNI attention on him.

The teenager was arrested one month ago under the anti- terrorist legislation for alleged dissident activity.

'Since my arrest the police officers have been ringing me looking to meet with me.

"They are the same officers," says the teenager who names one of the officers.

Ryan McNulty has outstanding fines and this he says has been used as a ruse for a meeting.

"They don't want to meet me at the barracks.

"They said they would come to my flat but would only come in if no-one else was present.

"I have said I will not meet them but at this stage they are torturing me, they just keep calling me on my mobile."

The 18 year old decided to seek advice from Teach na Failte in Strabane, where he was advised to see a solicitor.

Willie Gallagher, of the IRSP, said, "There are armed groups within our community who are willing to take action against spies or informers.

"The manipulation of these young people to turn informer could lead to serious physical injury. I would call on local people to go to their solicitor or to the press to expose this manipulation."

The Strabane teenager has lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman.