INISHOWEN Independent
journalist Caoimhinn Barr was warned to keep away
from a Bridgend vehicle seizure by Customs
officials, who accused him of ‘obstruction’.
The local reporter arrived on the scene, across the
road from the Revenue Office, at approximately 11am
and, after requesting the driver’s name, was
immediately asked to ‘remove’ himself from the area.
“I identified myself as an Inishowen Independent
journalist and was instantly ushered away from the
incident by a Revenue officer, who said ‘I was
coming round making things worse by obstructing
their operations’” Caoimhinn said.
“There were four Customs men wearing yellow coats
and one woman in a blue Revenue uniform. I began to
take photos and one of the men stood right beside me
accusing me of further obstruction, even though I
was thirty yards away from the ongoing seizure.”
Caoimhinn said one official, wearing dark glasses,
was "particularly intimidating".
Local County Councillor Padraig MacLochlainn, who is
against the VRT charge, said journalists must be
given access to stories on behalf of the people
without being subjected to intimidating tactics.
“Some of these officials are very arrogant and have
become drunk on power. They must stop their gung ho
approach in Inishowen.
"I attended a meeting with three high-ranking
Revenue officials in the summer and they assured me
that Customs tactics would be changed but this has
clearly not happened,” he added. |
