SEVERE criticism of the RUC's handling of the recent Orange parades has been expressed by three Labour Party Oireachtas members who observed recent events in Drumcree, the Lower Ormeau Road and Derry.
TDs Mr Joe Costello and Mr Declan Bree and Senator Sean Maloney yesterday published a report on their observations and made a series of recommendations on how future marches should be handled.
The RUC, they said, had totally lost the confidence of the nationalist communities, was vulnerable to pressure and displayed partiality. It was "incapable of policing the Orange Order" in Portadown over a period of five days and, in the case of the Lower Ormeau Road, the police had used excessive security and force against nationalists.
"Clearly, there is a need for the RUC to be substantially reformed in terms of its membership, structures, training and behaviour", the Labour report says.
The report, copies of which have been sent to the British government, the Taoiseach and the Tanaiste, recommends that an independent inquiry be established into the performance by the RUC of its duties over the past week. There should also be an independent investigation into the death of Mr Dermot McShane in Derry.
An independent tribunal or commission should be set up by the British authorities to draw up proposals for local consultation and for the "proper conduct and routing of Orange marches" which penetrate nationalist areas.
It calls on parliamentarians from the EU, Britain, the Republic and the US, as well as human rights groups, to be present at future controversial Orange parades.
Given the deeply damaging events of the last week, the Labour group also suggests that the Dail remain in session on July 26th to debate the threat to peace in the North. The House is already being recalled on July 25th for a one day debate on crime.
Meanwhile, all film footage produced by camera crews should be examined by the RUC to identify those who breached the law and who made statements inciting people to hatred or violence. Those who blocked roads and refused to leave "the queen's highway" should be investigated and charged, where appropriate.
"These include Harold Gracey, District Orange Master, the Rev Martin Smyth, David Trimble and the Rev Ian Paisley, all of whom marched down the hill at Drumcree and confronted the RUC", the report adds.
Mr Bree described the RUC and British army conduct in Derry as "outrageous". Orangemen, the RUC and the army had been guilty of brutality and ill treatment of the nationalist community, he asserted.