Claim of police arresting UDA victim at Ormeau Road murder commemoration

The Relatives for Justice group claims police officers “assaulted and attacked” those attending an event commemorating the victims of a UDA atrocity in south Belfast.
By Mark Rainey
Published 5th Feb 2021, 16:21 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2021, 16:48 BST
The scene on Belfast's Ormeau Road on February 5 in 1992 following the UDA murder of five Catholics. Photo: PACEMAKER BELFASTThe scene on Belfast's Ormeau Road on February 5 in 1992 following the UDA murder of five Catholics. Photo: PACEMAKER BELFAST
The scene on Belfast's Ormeau Road on February 5 in 1992 following the UDA murder of five Catholics. Photo: PACEMAKER BELFAST

RFJ said police also arrested a survivor of the attack that claimed the lives of five Catholics at Sean Graham’s bookmakers on February 5, 1992.

On Friday afternoon, an RFJ spokesperson tweeted: “Today at a small, safe and socially distanced wreath-laying the relatives of people killed in the Ormeau Rd bookmakers atrocity and some of those injured, were assaulted and attacked by the PSNI.

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“One of the survivors, who was shot 7 times in the attack, Mark Sykes, was arrested.”

Other RFJ tweets said: “At the very time of day when 29 years ago the UDA with state assistance entered Sean Graham’s bookmakers and killed five people, the PSNI decided to disrupt, insult and create unprecedented and callous hurt.

“The very same institution – the PSNI – that has prevented and thwarted effective investigation into these killings decided to intervene in a safe and distanced commemoration. This is beyond outrageous and there must be immediate accountability.”

Loyalist activist and commentator Jamie Bryson tweeted: “Just watched a video from Ormeau Road today. Regardless of what community it is in, what that video shows is appalling on the part of the PSNI. I am a loyalist and I felt enraged just watching it.”

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PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne later posted a message on social media, saying: “I have just spoken to deputy First Minister @moneillsf about the events on the Ormeau road this afternoon. We are currently working to establish all the facts. I will provide a further update in due course.”

In a brief statement, a spokesperson for KRW Law said: “Mark Sykes was arrested at 2.40pm at the scene of his attempted murder 29 years ago. He was handcuffed to the back and held until 4.08pm until his release at Musgrave PSNI on report for disorderly behaviour.

“Those responsible for this insensitive disgrace should be held accountable.”

The PSNI has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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