Michelle O'Neill challeged over police video footage of Ormeau Road incident

​Michelle O’Neill has been challenged to state whether she would like to see the full video footage of the Ormeau Road atrocity commemoration made public.
The scene on the Ormeau Road as police attempted to identify the organisers of a Troubles memorial event during the Covid lockdown in February 2021. Photo: PacemakerThe scene on the Ormeau Road as police attempted to identify the organisers of a Troubles memorial event during the Covid lockdown in February 2021. Photo: Pacemaker
The scene on the Ormeau Road as police attempted to identify the organisers of a Troubles memorial event during the Covid lockdown in February 2021. Photo: Pacemaker
By Mark Rainey
Published 13th Sep 2023, 22:16 BST
Updated 13th Sep 2023, 22:37 BST

Former senior police officer Jon Burrows has said the Sinn Fein vice-president’s assertion – that the way one of those attending was treated by police was “appalling” – is “deeply irresponsible”.

Mr Burrows viewed the PSNI officers’ body worn camera images ahead of providing evidence to a judicial review of the PSNI’s decision to discipline the two officers involved in the incident in 2021.

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"Unfortunately Michelle O’Neil is still making definitive judgements without viewing all the evidence," he said.

"This is deeply irresponsible, given the sensitivity of this matter and the consequences that have flowed from it.

“I ask Sinn Fein one question: are you prepared to call for the release of a pixelated copy of the entire body worn video so that the public can see the entire incident? Yes or no?

“I am happy to discuss the incident in any media platform Michelle wishes. I would also strongly encourage the PSNI and Sinn Fein to start making detailed records of their operational engagement.”

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The controversy began when two junior PSNI officers approached survivors and relatives of five Catholics murdered by loyalists in 1992.

The two constables had reported encountering a gathering of people, close to the Sean Graham bookmakers, during the Covid lockdown. As the commemoration ended they approached some of those dispersing in an effort to establish the name of the organiser, sparking an altercation.

One man was arrested at the scene but released without being processed at Musgrave police station.

Following a political backlash, one of the officers was suspended and the other ‘repositioned,’ however, a judicial review found that the pair had been unlawfully disciplined.

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That outcome was described by the police federation as the “final straw” for the chief constable, Simon Byrne, who resigned on September 4.

Mr Burrows added: “In both the Bobby Storey funeral debacle and the Ormeau Road travesty of justice, Sinn Fein have no records of what they said to the PSNI leadership. Likewise, the PSNI leadership seems reluctant to make accurate notes as well. Why is this?”

In a series of social media posts on Sunday, Mr Burrows urged several Sinn Fein members to retract “untrue” claims about the incident made in the immediate aftermath.

Sinn Fein has not yet responded to a request for comment.