An out -spoken Derry City priest has again criticised what he describes as a vigilante culture in some parts of the city.
Speaking last week, Fr Michael Canny, parish priest of Waterside Parish in the city, criticised vigilante groups who have threatened to execute young people in the city.
Commenting on the situation in the city, Fr Canny described such groups as a throwback to the worst days of the troubles when paramilitaries used, “intimidation and threats to rid their communities of anti-social behaviour.”
Fr Canny added that, “excluding people from their communities and in many cases, their country didn't solve our problems then and certainly won't solve them now. Self-appointed, judges, juries and executioners have no place in any civilised society.”
Fr Canny made his comments against the backdrop of media reports in the city, which say that the number of people that threatened in such a manner in the city has now risen to 38.
Meanwhile Derry's Peace and Reconciliation group has confirmed the figures saying that both the Real IRA and Republican Action Against Drugs (RAAD) are behind the trouble.
Fr Canny challenged the groups to confirm if their threats have resulted in less illegal drugs being sold in our city.
He added, “Their answer is clear. Their attempts to put so-called drug dealers out of town have no impact on drug use. As long as people need and use drugs, suppliers will make them available. The actions or inaction of people can provide fertile soil for self-appointed groups to grow and flourish. When criminal or anti-social behaviour takes place, all should report the incidents to the police rather than going to someone who then goes to someone else with a view to exacting justice.”
Fr Canny's latest statement is not the first occasion he has stood up to such groups in Derry City.
Last April he offered to meet the so-called 32-county Sovereignty Movement over its threats to kill Catholic PSNI officers.