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A police watchdog has launched an investigation after the victim of a Troubles gun attack was arrested on Friday at an anniversary event in Belfast.
Mark Sykes was detained in the Ormeau Road area of Belfast after officers intervened at the memorial event marking the 29th anniversary of a massacre by loyalists at the Sean Graham bookmakers shop on the road, Mr Sykes's lawyer said.
He was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour after officers moved to break up the event, the lawyer added.
Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman’s Office said officers were involved in an “altercation” with a group of people who had gathered at an event to mark the anniversary and one person had been arrested.
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A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman’s Office said: “We are aware of the incident and have received a complaint about what happened.
“Our investigation will focus on establishing all of the facts surrounding the incident and investigators will be examining all available evidence in order to consider the appropriateness of the actions taken by police, including the arrest.”
PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne appealed for calm following the incident. Mr Byrne said: "I fully recognise the sensitivities of this incident and just how difficult a day this would have already been for the families who lost loved ones in the atrocity.
“That should not be forgotten.
“We are acutely aware that this is the latest incident to raise concerns about the enforcement of coronavirus regulations and illustrates there are no easy answers.”
In a statement, he said: “Officers from the south Belfast local policing team came across a group of between 30 and 40 people gathered at a memorial event at the Sean Graham bookmakers on the Ormeau Road at 2.30pm on Friday.
“As the event concluded, two officers approached a person to talk to him about a breach of the health protection regulations.
“The situation quickly escalated and a man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest. He was taken to Musgrave police station and was released at 4.04pm.
“In the course of the incident a police officer sustained a minor injury to his face.”
Mr Byrne said police were reviewing all footage of the incident, including the officers’ body-worn video, and that they had notified the Office of the Police Ombudsman and were conducting an “assessment of the conduct of the officers involved”.
Covid-19 rules
Public gatherings of more than six people are currently prohibited under Covid-19 lockdown regulations in Northern Ireland.
Five people, including a 15-year-old boy, were murdered and several others injured in February 1992 when Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) opened fire at the bookies.
Footage of angry exchanges involving officers and those attending Friday’s event has been posted online.
Mr Sykes's lawyer Niall Murphy said: "Every year the victims and survivors [of the massacre] gather in dignity to remember their loved ones and to say a short prayer.
“This year because of Covid restrictions it was restricted to the five families, who maintained a dignified silence and left flowers down.
“The police attended, for what reason I will never know, approached victims and survivors of an atrocity and commenced to harass, push and assault man, woman and child.”
Mr Murphy said his client was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour.
“The only disorderly behaviour that happened on the Ormeau Road today was by the police who had no right to be there and who have wreaked havoc on community relations both in the Ormeau Road and in the wider community,” he said.
Sinn Féin Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Deeply concerned at the footage showing PSNI officers arrive at the scene of the Sean Graham bookies massacre.
“Unjustified heavy handed tactics have been used towards relatives laying flowers including the arrest of one of the survivors.
“Requested urgent call with Chief Constable.”
‘Shocked and appalled’
Sinn Féin Policing Board member Gerry Kelly said he was "shocked and appalled" at the arrest.
He accused police of “heavy handed” tactics.
Mr Kelly said family members of victims had gathered to call for the publication of a delayed police ombudsman's report into the murders, amid allegations of state collusion.
Mr Kelly added: “The police should apologise for adding insult to injury to the families of those who lost their lives in the massacre and who have waited almost 30 years for truth and justice.”
Mr Byrne tweeted to confirm he had spoken to Ms O’Neill about the incident, adding: “We are currently working to establish all the facts. I will provide a further update in due course.” – PA