Nationalists are angry at perceived whitewash

There was predictably a mixed reaction from the loyalist and nationalist communities of Lurgan and Portadown to the DPP's decision…

There was predictably a mixed reaction from the loyalist and nationalist communities of Lurgan and Portadown to the DPP's decision not to take action against RUC officers accused of threatening Ms Rosemary Nelson

In Lurgan, where Ms Nelson lived and worked, many nationalists voiced their anger at what they described as "another whitewash operation" designed to absolve the RUC of any involvement in the solicitor's death.

In Lurgan's nationalist Kill wilkie estate, one resident said: "What other outcome could be expected when the RUC were investigating death threats which had allegedly been made by their own officers?.

"This decision clearly shows that the RUC can act without fear of accountabilty to anyone when dealing with the nationalist community in the North."

READ MORE

In nearby Portadown the reaction was the same. Many nationalists said the decision high lighted the fact that the suggested RUC reforms in the Patten report must be implemented in full.

In loyalist areas there was little support for any action against the RUC in relation to the alleged death threats made against Ms Nelson. To the majority of loyalists, Ms Nelson had aligned herself with the Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition and as such was seen as championing the nationalist struggle against the Drumcree Orange parade.

Meanwhile, Mr David Wright, father of the murdered LVF leader, Billy Wright, said he could identify with the position of the Nelson family.

"If the Nelson family have concerns about how their loved one died then those concerns must be addressed," he said.