A STRABANE man, said to be at the centre of a police investigation, has denied that his comments in last week's Strabane Chronicle were in any way threatening.
Police in Strabane said that they are investigating "comments allegedly made in relation to police officers and other members of the community" by Willie Gallagher, a leading member of the IRSP.
However, the IRSP man has said while it is "obvious they have viewed my comments as in some way threatening, I will refute that, I was merely stating the reality on the ground.
"This is not me issuing threats or having any access to inside information or knowledge; it is stating the reality on the ground in Strabane."
His comments were made in regard to the PSNI not being able to live within the community of Strabane in light of a recent raid and claims the police are trying to recruit informers.
Mr Gallagher also said he was in no doubt that those found to be informing would face the possibility of physical punishment.
"It is common sense to say that the PSNI cannot expect to live within areas in Strabane when they are running about smashing people's doors in. How can they really expect to live within the community?"
He said any investigation is "petty and vindictive" and he sees it as continued harassment off IRSP members in Strabane.
"I will not be intimidated or stop speaking out about the PSNI intimidation and harassment. I will not be silenced."
He said the PSNI obviously has "very little to do with its time".
"I am not surprised that in the Strabane area, whilst they (PSNI) are wasting their time fixated with anti-Good Friday Agreement republicans, that they are incompetent in relation to resolving serious crimes, like rape and burglary."
However, Ulster Unionist Derek Hussey is furious at Mr Gallagher's remarks in last week's Chronicle.
Mr Hussey, a member of Strabane DPP, said, "Surely to God we have had enough of this type of rhetoric over the past 40 years. Citizens want peace of mind and normality within our community, throughout our district area and indeed the whole of Northern Ireland.
"Last week we witnessed the IRSP calling on citizens to reject those within our community who want to contribute to normality and just want to get on with living, of whatever creed.
"It once again places them in threat of removal of the most basic of human rights - i.e. the right to life. This surely is tantamount to incitement to terror!"
Mr Hussey added, "There are armed groups within our community who are willing to take action against spies or informers. It is because of the continued existence of such people in our community that the police service must take every precaution in dealing with these types of situations. They haven't gone away yet, but it is time that they did!
"I call on the elected majority within the Nationalist/republican community to refute without reservation these threats to their fellow citizens in the Strabane area and beyond."
