POLICE IN Derry have returned a mobile phone Sim card to a freelance reporter who had been writing about dissident republican activity.
The mobile phone owned by Eamonn MacDermott was confiscated on Thursday by the PSNI who were in possession of a warrant. Mr MacDermott believes the confiscation is linked to his report on a dissident bombing in Derry last year.
He said: “In the course of making a statement previously the police told me that they would be able to access my phone records.”
“I know they have accessed my phone records so I asked them why do they need the handset when they already have access to records and can access the records without any difficulty whatsoever.”
Mr MacDermott said he put this question to an officer. “All she would tell me was it was part of an investigation and she refused to give me any details.
“I told her that this is my livelihood, as a freelance journalist my phone is my lifeblood, every contact I have is in that phone.”
Séamus Dooley, Irish secretary of the National Union of Journalists, welcomed the return of the Sim card but demanded the return of the mobile phone, also claiming that the police action had put the journalist’s life at risk.
“Mr MacDermott’s phone is being held by the PSNI and that remains a major concern,” Mr Dooley said. “Nevertheless we welcome the PSNI response to the widespread concern expressed by the NUJ, journalists, commentators, political representatives and members of the public at the police action in this case.”
NUJ general secretary Jeremy Dear said the police had advised Mr MacDermott that they have accessed his phone records.
“So why not hand back his phone, along with the Sim card immediately and allow Eamonn go about his work as a journalist in Derry and the northwest region without further impediment?”