Police suspension after Sean Graham massacre memorial to be legally challenged
A judicial review will be launched.
Suspending an officer after angry scenes at a commemorative gathering in South Belfast is 'unfair' and will be legally challenged, according to the Police Federation of Northern Ireland.
One officer was suspended, and another repositioned, after criticism the handling of a service to mark the anniversary of a deadly troubles shooting on the Ormeau Road was 'heavy handed'.
An ombudsman's investigation is ongoing into the events of February 5, when family members gathered outside the South Belfast shop to pay respects on the anniversary of the day the UDA murdered five civilian and injured nine others.
Officers attended to highlight that the gathering could have been contrary to covid rules on social distancing.
It led to the arrest of a surviving victim of the shooting. Mark Sykes was detained on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and later released, has admitted swearing at an officer.
Since then, one officer has been suspended from duty and another repositioned.
PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne apologised for how police handled the incident.
In a statement today (Monday) Police Federation chairman Mark Lindsay said it will seek to judicially review the PSNI decision not to lift the suspension of the officer.
PFNI Chair, Mark Lindsay, said: “Following due process, the PSNI reviewed what happened and the decision was made not to remove the suspension or the repositioning of a second officer. We are now left with no option but to submit Judicial Review pre-action protocol letters to the Chief Constable this week.
“We contend it does not follow established process and we feel we have no alternative but to launch Judicial Review proceedings.
“Suspension and repositioning decisions have implications on their careers. Both officers are probationers and their probation could be extended because of this decision.
“It is our view that they are being unfairly treated we will exhaust our legal options in their defence.”
In response, the PSNI said: “We have not yet received the pre-action protocol papers.
“Once received, we will examine the contents and respond to the pre-action protocol in due course.”