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An investigation was launched by a police watchdog after a Troubles shooting victim was arrested at an anniversary event.
Mark Sykes was detained in the Ormeau Road area of Belfast after agents intervened at the memorial commemorating the 29th anniversary of a loyalist massacre at Sean Graham’s gambling shop, his lawyer said.
He was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behavior after officers moved to break up the event, the attorney added.
The Police Ombudsman’s Office said the officers were involved in an “altercation” with a group of people who had gathered at an event to mark the anniversary and that one person had been arrested.
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 the facts surrounding the incident and investigators will examine all available evidence to consider the appropriateness of actions taken by the police, including arrest.”
PSNI Police Chief Simon Byrne called for calm after the incident.
Byrne said: “I fully recognize the sensitivity of this incident and how difficult it would have been one day for families who lost loved ones in the atrocity.
“That must not be forgotten.
“We are well aware that this is the most recent incident that raises concerns about the application of coronavirus regulations and illustrates that there are no easy answers.”
In a statement, it said: “Officers from the South Belfast local police team encountered a group of between 30 and 40 people gathered at a commemorative event at Sean Graham Bookmakers on Ormeau Road at 2.30pm on Friday.
“At the conclusion of the event, two agents approached a person to talk to him about a violation of the Health Protection Regulations.
“The situation quickly escalated and a man was arrested for disorderly behavior and resisting arrest. He was taken to Musgrave Police Station and released at 4:44 pm.
“In the course of the incident, a police officer suffered a minor injury to the face.”
Byrne said police were reviewing all images of the incident, including body video of the officers, had notified the Office of the Police Ombudsman and were conducting an “assessment of the conduct of the officers involved.”
Public gatherings of more than six people are currently prevented by the Covid-19 shutdown regulations in Northern Ireland.
Five people, including a 15-year-old boy, were killed and several more were injured in February 1992 when the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) opened fire on the bookmakers.
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Images of angry exchanges between officials and attendees at Friday’s event have been posted online.
Sykes was subsequently released from Musgrave PSNI station in Belfast.
Her attorney Niall Murphy said: “Every year victims and survivors come together with dignity to remember their loved ones and say a short prayer.
“This year, due to Covid restrictions, the five families who kept a dignified silence and left flowers were restricted.
“The police attended, for what reason I will never know, approached the victims and survivors of an atrocity and began to harass, push and assault men, women and children.”
Murphy said his client was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct.
“The only disorderly behavior that occurred today on Ormeau Road was by the police who had no right to be there and which has wreaked havoc on community relations both on Ormeau Road and in the wider community,” he said.
Sinn Féin Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Deeply concerned by the images showing PSNI agents arriving at the scene of the Sean Graham bookmaker massacre.
“Unjustified heavy-handed tactics have been used against family members who lay flowers, including the arrest of one of the survivors.
“Request an urgent call with the chief of police (Simon Byrne).”
After witnessing an embarrassing display of police surveillance, at a family commemoration worthy of the Sean Graham Bookmakers murders, I wrote to the Police Ombudsman to request that he come forward and investigate the circumstances that led to an arrest. https://t.co/qKHBSbTbS4
– Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) February 5, 2021
Sinn Féin Police Board member Gerry Kelly said he was “shocked and dismayed” by the man’s arrest. He accused the police of “heavy handed” tactics.
“The man and other relatives of the five victims of the massacre, including a 15-year-old boy, were laying wreaths at the scene of the murders to mark the 29th anniversary of the murder of their loved ones,” he said.
Kelly said family members had gathered to demand the release of a delayed police ombudsman report on the killings, amid allegations of state collusion.
“As the relatives dispersed, the police came in and arrested a victim of the bookmaker massacre,” he said.
Kelly added: “This man must be released immediately and the police must apologize for aggravating the injuries to the families of those who lost their lives in the massacre and who have waited almost 30 years for truth and justice.”
PSNI Police Chief Mr. Byrne later tweeted to confirm that he had spoken to O’Neill about the incident.
“I just spoke to Deputy Prime Minister @moneillsf about the events on the Ormeau road this afternoon. We are currently working to establish all the facts.”
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