Dissidents had policewoman's phone

Published Wednesday, 08 February 2012

The PSNI have launched an investigation into a story in the Irish News that claims a policewoman's lost mobile phone, containing hundreds of photos of her and her colleagues fell into the hands of dissident republicans.

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Some pictures from the mobile phone were handed over to the Irish News by Oglaigh na hEireann.

The newspaper said the phone had been lost during an arrest in west Belfast more than a year ago.

Police have confirmed that there has been no breach of police network security because the phone was not a work related phone.

A Policing Board spokesman said: "This loss of this police officer's personal mobile phone raises a number of issues of serious concern but particularly the report that it contained information on police operations.

"The PSNI have been asked by the Board for a report on the police investigation of this incident."

An article in Wednesday's Irish News says the handset was dropped in west Belfast and obtained by paramilitary grouping Oglaigh na hEireann.

It contained text messages detailing the woman's movements and working hours as well as photographs of her colleagues on and off duty.

The paper was passed some of the pictures, which it says it has printed- pixillated to conceal identities - to highlight the seriousness of the security breach.

Oglaigh na hEireann told the Irish News it has "gleaned whatever information needed" from the phone which they have been in possession of for "over a year".

It said the policewoman, who is believed to be a young officer from Omagh in Co Tyrone, had been "monitored as a result of information extracted" but that a decision had been made "not to target her".

And added: "ONH will continue to exploit weaknesses where we find them".

The pictures include images taken on a PSNI speedboat as well as ones taken on board a jet and in the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle.

The development comes after the same dissident outfit planted a grenade under the driver seat of a Scottish soldier's car in north Belfast last month.

He spotted the booby-trap device and it did not detonate.

In its editorial, the Irish News describes the latest breach of security as "a matter for considerable concern".

"The handful of fanatics who target police officers as they perform a vital role on behalf of the entire community can have no possible justification for their activities," the editorial says.

"It remains essential that individual PSNI members exercise vigilance and total professionalism at all times."

Comments

48 Comments

Tomc in Belfast wrote (102 days ago):

Chris G, again you serve to reinforce all of the points i've put forward so far. For a person who hasn't done "the job" you seem to have such a wealth of opinion on how it was and should be run. Maybe a position on the Policing Board would be the perfect place for an individual with such insight. I ask, how many more strict guidlines could there be than those contained within the code of ethics for police officers? A person is more than capable of having a social networking profile which prevents prying eyes, therefore that isn't necessarily the issue. The views of old or ex police officers are and have always been the same. The new blood is always considered not as good as the old, and the new will become old and the cycle will start over. In terms of how any police service operates, that operational model is directed from many avenues, not the actions or behaviours of a new recruit. Lets not forget If the terms offered by the Patton reforms hadn't included a handsome lump sum and early pension terms, would those "Ex" officers have chosen to leave on principle? I think not. Lets not forget that there are thousands who have not left, yet who have continued service from the RUC. You chose not to join, around 2002, when as a service the PSNI had probably not changed much from what it was as the RUC. And within a year of it's inception, you had such insight and identified that "balloons" were being employed and great officers were leaving....but then according to you, you were on the list to join....would you consider yourself to be a "balloon"? Lad you've given me a giggle today, with what would be described in my chosen career as reductio ad absurdum. Thanks for that, time to sign off from a well grounded planet earth....And to get back to topic, yes the lady who lost her phone is an idiot for compromising herself and others, but all are not idiots, and to presume so is just plain idiotic.

Chris G in belfast wrote (102 days ago):

didnt actually see your post there disgruntled but this old routine of passing the buck to the "old guard" as u put it doesnt wash yea this is where it started and its still rife. the drinking culture has been passed down along the years and the fact that when alot of officers put on the uniform they think there above the law is still there too now the psni have tried to weed out the culprits but theres always t select few who stay above the radar and tarnish the reputation. And yes they are allowed a life outside the job but they have to realise that they signed up to the official secrets act so they cant help out there mate or cantl give there auntie uncle son or daughter etc etc a heads up? Nor in this day and age can they post pics or give constant updates on there day to days business! any terrorist on survellience will get everything they want its comical and common sense. now as for me not being offered a post theres no chip on the shoulder here nor has my views been tainted by any family member as 2retired 2 went off injured being involved in booby trap devices! my views are entirely of what i no as fact and by what i am told by people who currently work for the force.

chris g in belfast wrote (102 days ago):

tomc what planet are you living on? i made the decision not to join. If your so well informed then ask a few of the ex policemen there views on the force now? i think the overwhelming reply u will get will ring very clear too you! now ill informed bitter?? I hit the nail on the head and a little trip to facebook will prove my point!! and i also believe i hit the nail on the head when i said id get a reply from a deluded member of the psni who thinks he's doing such a great job! so hide behind ur fantasy job with ur comical views!! i tend to deal on the reality of things which are clear to see! but let me add a few more things these are all things that can be fixed soo easily in the begining i thought all this community policing wasnt the way forward but mr baggot proved me wrong!! now all he has to do is get recruitment right and have a few stricter guidelines for the candidates that get through it! starting with no social networking sites!!

Tomc in Belfast wrote (103 days ago):

Chris G, you answered every one of my points and more with that rant. To correct you on one however. I'm not a police officer, yet I have worked in the legal profession for quite a time. I've met many a person who has a strong policing background, both RUC and PSNI...In fact i've seen the relatives of a number of high ranking officers in the dock, therefore your family affiliation or opinion has no bearing. You ask the rhetorical question of why you didn't join..the real answer i believe is that what you call "balloons" happened to be above you on intake criteria. Your rant exposes the very reason why you wouldn't be suitable to perform to an acceptable level within a policing environment, and clearly displays your ignorance in terms of reality and your perception. You truely have shown yourself to be an ill informed and bitter individual. Consider the rock raised and lowered, and I do hope you enjoy your chosen career, and never require the services of mine.

disgruntled in ballymoney wrote (103 days ago):

To Chris g: I think you'll find that most of your comments and accusations such as officers drink driving being overlooked and sweeping things under the carpet are all commonly known traits of the old guard. The psni is the most scrutinised and monitored force in the world. The things you have alleged are not only insulting but also almost unheard of. And officers are allowed a life outside of work, yes some may post on facebook things which may jeopordise their security and that is wrong but you cannot say they arent allowed a social life and that their whole life should be dedicated to work. If this was the case then you may open a psychiatric ward just for police officers as it is a very highly stressed job. Looks to me that you didn't actually get offered a place in the psni and that you have had your views tainted by family members from the ruc who arent happy with their treatment when the change to psni was made. Ive heard it all a million times.

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