29.10.04
IRA2
Relatives for Justice
235a Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 4PE; Tel: (+44) 028
90220100; Fax: (+44) 028 90220101;
email: info@relativesforjustice.com; web: www.relativesforjustice.com
Plastic Bullet Alternative Kills Boston student
Chairperson of Relatives For Justice Clara Reilly has released the
following statement:
"It is with great regret that the United Campaign Against Plastic
Bullets and Relatives for Justice have learned of the death of Boston
student Victoria Snelgrove who was 21 years old.
"Ms Snelgrove was killed by a "less lethal weapon", a pepper spray
projectile which hit her in the eye last Friday 22 October.
"As families who have been bereaved as a result of our own "less
lethal" weapons – plastic bullets- our thoughts are with the family
at this terrible time.
"We also must notify all in our own society that one of the planned
alternatives to plastic bullets is this type of projectile. The NIO
plan to have this introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Discriminating Energy Projectile or DIP is a projectile hosting
pepper spray or CS gas, which explodes on impact with the victim and
sends out the chemicals. Exactly this type of weapon killed Ms
Snelgrove.
"Under the stewardship of their Chief of Police, one time Patten
Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole, Boston Police have shelved the weapon
from their armoury following the tragic events last Friday, as have
another large US city police department, Seattle. It is to her credit
that Ms O'Toole along with Boston Mayor Tom Menino, immediately
accepted full responsibility for the killing of Victoria Snelgrove,
an important and vital act we have never witnessed in this
jurisdiction.
"Millions of pounds are currently being invested by the British
Government in the development of this weapon to put it on our
streets. We are calling on the NIO to immediately end this practice,
following events in Boston.
"Today we have written a letter of solidarity to the Snelgrove family
and a letter to Ms Kathleen O'Toole, supporting her decision to
shelve the weapon in question."
ENDS
Relatives for Justice
235a Falls Road, Belfast, County Antrim, BT12 4PE; Tel: (+44) 028
90220100; Fax: (+44) 028 90220101;
email: info@relativesforjustice.com; web: www.relativesforjustice.com
Plastic Bullet Alternative Kills Boston student
Chairperson of Relatives For Justice Clara Reilly has released the
following statement:
"It is with great regret that the United Campaign Against Plastic
Bullets and Relatives for Justice have learned of the death of Boston
student Victoria Snelgrove who was 21 years old.
"Ms Snelgrove was killed by a "less lethal weapon", a pepper spray
projectile which hit her in the eye last Friday 22 October.
"As families who have been bereaved as a result of our own "less
lethal" weapons – plastic bullets- our thoughts are with the family
at this terrible time.
"We also must notify all in our own society that one of the planned
alternatives to plastic bullets is this type of projectile. The NIO
plan to have this introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.
The Discriminating Energy Projectile or DIP is a projectile hosting
pepper spray or CS gas, which explodes on impact with the victim and
sends out the chemicals. Exactly this type of weapon killed Ms
Snelgrove.
"Under the stewardship of their Chief of Police, one time Patten
Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole, Boston Police have shelved the weapon
from their armoury following the tragic events last Friday, as have
another large US city police department, Seattle. It is to her credit
that Ms O'Toole along with Boston Mayor Tom Menino, immediately
accepted full responsibility for the killing of Victoria Snelgrove,
an important and vital act we have never witnessed in this
jurisdiction.
"Millions of pounds are currently being invested by the British
Government in the development of this weapon to put it on our
streets. We are calling on the NIO to immediately end this practice,
following events in Boston.
"Today we have written a letter of solidarity to the Snelgrove family
and a letter to Ms Kathleen O'Toole, supporting her decision to
shelve the weapon in question."
ENDS
