Police Service of Northern Ireland officials have launched a stern condemnation against a Sinn Féin representative for what they describe as a "completely irresponsible" social media post that potentially endangered officers and compromised an ongoing operation.
The controversy emerged after Councillor Christopher Jackson published footage on his social media channels showing police conducting an arrest in the Creggan area of Londonderry on Tuesday. Authorities have expressed serious concerns that the video could identify policing methods and operational tactics.
Operation Details and Police Response
The arrest operation, which targeted a 38-year-old man suspected of terrorism offences, was conducted by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Terrorism Investigation Unit. The suspect was apprehended under the Terrorism Act and transported to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite in Belfast for questioning.
Chief Inspector Kelly from the Derry City and Strabane district didn't mince words when addressing the incident: "The reckless posting of this content on social media not only has the potential to undermine live investigations but more importantly could compromise the safety of our officers and their families."
Political Reactions and Safety Concerns
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood echoed police concerns, stating that the social media post showed "very poor judgement" during an active police operation. He emphasised that while legitimate scrutiny of policing is necessary, publishing operational details in real-time crosses a dangerous line.
The police statement highlighted particular alarm about the potential identification of officers involved in the operation, noting that such exposure could make them targets for violence or intimidation. This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing security concerns in Northern Ireland, where police officers regularly face threats from paramilitary groups.
Authorities have reiterated their commitment to investigating serious crime while calling for greater responsibility from public figures regarding social media use during live police operations.
