Saoradh have vowed to hold protests at events involving the PSNI and young people

Hardline republicans say they will target future youth events involving the PSNI.

The threat came days after an event involving the PSNI was cancelled in Derry after members of Saoradh threatened to hold a protest.

The Long Tower Youth and Community Centre had planned to hold a conference for young people in the Guildhall but it was later called off.

It has now emerged that the party held a protest at another event involving the PSNI and young people in Stewartstown, Co Tyrone, earlier this year.

The party claims the event was billed as a ‘Stewartstown teen engagement process' and was held in a local community centre.

A second meeting due to be held a week later was subsequently cancelled.

Local SDLP councillor Malachy Quinn said the events had been arranged to raise online awareness among young people.

A spokesman for Saoradh last night said it intends to hold similar protests in future.

Mr Quinn said that he was asked by the venue to make protesters aware the second planned session had been called off.

He said he contacted Saoradh and it then agreed to cancel the second planned protest.

Mr Quinn said he did not support the protest.

“They are entitled to protest, I disagree with their protest,” he said.

“For me policing is a big part of trying to normalise society.”