New IRA chief Thomas Mellon had his car searched by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in the grounds of a Catholic church on Sunday.
Mellon, who is on a 10-year MI5 terror watch-list, was held by officers as they examined his car following a meeting between Mellon and priests at St. Mary's Church in Creggan, Derry/Londonderry, the Belfast Telegraph reports.
The IRA's political wing, Saoradh, criticised the police force for launching a security operation on what it called "sacred ground" and stated, "the fact that crown forces descended upon [Mellon] inside the chapel grounds raises concerns for everyone in the wider community".
Others pointed out, however, that the New IRA has previously been condemned for its intimidation of clergy in the city. In 2020, the group put up posters of Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin outside a cathedral, encouraging "shame" on him. Archbishop Martin had previously urged young people to join the PSNI.
Referencing this incident, one source told local media: "Saoradh really have a brass neck calling the grounds of a Catholic church 'sacred' when only a few years ago they covered Derry with posters of Archbishop Martin condemning him."
No further action was taken against Mellon after the search. Neither the PSNI nor St Mary's Church have commented publicly.
