BY MICHELE CANNING SMITH

PUBLIC meetings and a series of internal talks in coming days will see debate raging within Republicanism over policing ahead of the crunch special Ard Fhéis.

Internal meetings will be held in West Tyrone over the next week to allow grassroots Republicans – Sinn Féin members, supporters and families – to air their views.

Running parallel with the internal debate will be public meetings. The Tyrone venue is Galballyon Saturday night.

Sinn Féin National Chairperson Mary Lou McDonald, said, "As we outlined after our Ard Chomhairle meeting we are committed to conducting a widespread consultation and debate with the republican grassroots in the run up to the special Ard Fheis. We are also committed to holding a series of meetings with the wider republican and nationalist community, including the families of our patriot dead and victims of state murder and collusion. Part of this will include internal party meetings, bigger republican gatherings and six public meetings."

In Galbally Community Centre, Gerry Adams will address Saturday's meeting which begins at 6pm.

On Sunday, a meeting will be held in the Newcastle Centre at 6.30pm; Monday 22 - Canal Court Hotel, Newry at 7pm; Tuesday 23 - Slieve Russell, Ballyconnell at 7pm; Wednesday 24 - Devinish Complex, Belfast at 8pm.

The meetings finish up on Thursday, January 25, at the Millennium Centre, Derry, at 7pm where Gerry Adams will again address the gathering.