Sinn Féin politician secretly attended son's PSNI graduation

Michelle O'Neill attended Friday's graduation ceremony and she's pictured with Chief Constable Jon Boutcher

Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly were not the first Sinn Féin politicians to attend a Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) passing out ceremony.

They were the second and third that we know about - but they were the first from the party leadership and they were also the first to go public.

But in 2015, another now-former Sinn Féin politician secretly attended a PSNI passing out parade at Garnerville.

He wasn't able to go public and only a small number of people know about it.

That is because he was there to support his son, as he took his place with the other PSNI recruits.

A brave move

It was a brave move for the son of a Sinn Féin politician, even though the party had signed up to policing eight years earlier, in 2007.

Not much has changed for the father and his son as, 17 years on, they still can't risk going public and have asked to remain anonymous.

"It was a day I will never forget and it didn't really hit home until I entered the gates at Garnerville," explained the father.

"I knew then I was about to see my son in a police uniform. I was very proud of him but I couldn't tell anyone.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly joined First Minister Michelle O'Neill at Friday's ceremony

"I couldn't even share it with my wider family and friends, it had to remain a secret."

'His jaw dropped'

At the time, George Hamilton was the chief constable and he spoke to the new recruit as he passed along the line up.

He wasn't aware at the time that the young officer's father was an elected Sinn Féin politician.

"I spoke to George Hamilton after and when I told him I was a Sinn Féin politician, his jaw dropped," said the father.

"He said he was pleased to see me there and asked what I thought of the parade and whether I felt it was too militaristic.

"I didn't have a problem with it, but he was keen to make it a neutral event."

Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly attended the launch of a PSNI recruitment drive four years ago

The attendance of both First Minister Michelle O'Neill and Gerry Kelly at Friday's graduation ceremony was hailed by the chief constable as a "hugely positive gesture".

Jon Boucher has said he hoped their attendance would help the PSNI's drive to recruit more Catholic officers, which currently sits at 32%.

But while Ms O'Neill and Mr Kelly applauded the new recruits, their former party colleague isn't able to openly praise his police officer son.

He can't afford to jeopardise his son's safety with the ongoing threat from dissidents republican paramilitaries.

He said that is the reality for Catholic families of police officers, 23 years after the PSNI was established.

Biggest barrier to recruitment

"Michelle O'Neill attending the ceremony sits well for Sinn Féin, it is all part of a greater plan by the party," said the father.

"I don't believe it will have a massive impact when it comes to getting more Catholics to sign up.

"The biggest barrier to recruitment is the threat from dissident republicans, and I can't see that disappearing any time soon," he added.

"It has taken Sinn Féin a long time to even make this small step.

"Its lukewarm approach has a got a little warmer, but it is far short of what is needed to make a difference."