Officer ‘did not act sensitively’ during memorial

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Officer ‘did not act sensitively’ during memorial

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 outside Sean Graham’s bookmakers 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 no assault charges 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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