The National Chairperson of the Revolutionary Republican Party Saoradh, Stephen Murney, and his partner Cliodhna McCool are the latest Republicans to have their bank accounts frozen at the behest of MI5/PSNI.
The activists who both hold separate current accounts with Nationwide were both notified on Wednesday [July 19th] that access to their accounts were restricted.
This is the third time Cliodhna has had a bank account frozen and the first time Stephen’s account has been targeted.
Upon realising their accounts were frozen both party members visited their local Nationwide branch in Newry and met with the manager who admitted that he was “baffled” by the whole episode but could offer no further information.
Slamming the actions of Nationwide Saoradh representative Dee Fennell said “Here we have a situation where a couple with five children are left with no access to their money in order to feed and clothe those children and also to pay their bills.
“Once again we bare witness to the weaponising of institutions in order to attack Republican families. This is a vindictive ploy by MI5/PSNI that is designed to put entire families under stress and pressure due to their political views.”
Dee continued “Nationwide bank are complicit in the MI5 and Crown Force targeting of working class people by freezing their accounts and restricting access to meagre benefits and wages at the behest of the sinister British intelligence agency and British Crown Forces.
“English commander of the occupation forces, Simon Byrne has previously stated: ‘You carry on doing this, we will have your house; if you keep going, we will have your car, we will have your kids, we will have your benefits and we will put you in jail.’
These were not idle threats.”
“Local constitutional Nationalist councillors in Newry need to be challenged on their position when it comes to such vile acts of politically motivated oppression that targets entire families. Sinn Fein and the SDLP should have the courage to make comment on this situation.”
Fennell finished by saying “Both Stephen and Cliodhna have contacted their legal representatives with a few to initiate a legal challenge.”
ENDS/CRÍOCH
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