Officer ‘did not act sensitively’ during memorial

[Pelican Press 0]

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Officer ‘did not act sensitively’ during memorial

The Police Ombudsman has found an officer did not act with “sensitivity” when he intervened at a Troubles memorial event during Covid restrictions.

The incident occurred

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on the Ormeau Road in Belfast in 2021.

People had gathered to mark the 29th anniversary of the murders of five people in a loyalist gun attack.

The ombudsman’s office investigated a complaint from Mark Sykes, a survivor of the attack, who was arrested and put into handcuffs.

He was released 90 minutes later.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) had previously decided

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should be brought against police officers.

The ombudsman, Marie Anderson, released details of her investigation on Monday.

Mrs Anderson said: “Given restrictions on gatherings at the time, I am satisfied that there was reasonable justification for the PSNI to have attended the scene.

“However, after examination of all evidence, I was of the view the arresting police officer had not responded in line with an order to treat the gathering with sensitivity.”

In a statement, PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said the force accepts recommendations made by the ombudsman.

More to follow.

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