Sinn Féin welcome republican’s release

Sinn Féin West Tyrone MLA Declan McAleer has welcomed the release of Pádraic Wilson on bail.

McAleer said: “Sinn Féin welcomes the release of Pádraic Wilson. The simple fact is that he should never have been charged in the first instance. The arrest and charging of Pádraic Wilson is but the latest manifestation of lingering negative elements within the PSNI which must be removed. The agenda pursued by these individuals is political. It is designed to undermine the change agenda and the political process and to reverse the progress we continue to make. Sinn Féin are calling for the withdrawal of the bogus and politically motivated charges against him from the PSNI. Sinn Féin will continue to campaign to have these charges withdrawn.”