Following a visit this weekend to “The Heights” in Coleraine and a meeting with local residents, Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister expressed concern at the manner in which local Protestant residents have been vilified following the death of Mr McDaid.

“The extent to which the overwhelmingly law-abiding residents of this area have been collectively degraded is totally unfair”, declared the TUV leader.

Mr Allister continued,
“Good, hard-working people live here, who do not deserve the categorisation to which they have been malevolently subjected. On foot of that there is now evidence of increasing harassment from a republican element, seeking conflict, and that the response of the PSNI is less than adequate. Several incidents recited to me suggest that whereas any perceived inappropriate behaviour by Protestants is met by a robust police response, when such emanates from elsewhere the police response in much less muted. Such lack of even handed policing is not acceptable and only builds resentment.

“I hope and look for normal relations throughout the Heights, not least over the weekend. Such requires respect and help from all sides, something the local Lodge has already shown, but the PSNI too must be alert to troublemakers and act without the fear or favour which of late has been doubtful”.