Patricia Devlin

In March this year, my niece Caitlin-Rose passed away after she was knocked down after getting off her school bus. Her mummy wants to help other children who need the help of emergency care in Caitlin-Rose’s memory.

Solidarity in journalism can be remarkably selective. Some people are very vocal about abuse and intimidation when it suits them, yet remarkably silent when it’s happening to someone they don’t particularly like. Principles shouldn’t depend on personalities.

Having experienced serious threats and intimidation during my career, I’ve never forgotten those who stood beside me. Equally, I’ve never forgotten those who chose silence, or worse, made it personal. Solidarity means very little if it’s only extended to people you like.

So, if you haven’t caught the news today the PSNI, do on occasion, illegally snoop and monitor journalists and lawyers, but it’s not ‘systemic’, so it’s grand. There was a wee press conference, an apology and a ‘lessons have been learned’ etc etc. Nothing to see here.

RIP David. Thoughts with your friends, family and colleagues 💔