The Justice Minister has called for “calm and cool heads” in the wake of the Sean Graham bookmakers massacre memorial incident.
Naomi Long released a statement late on Friday night after a police intervention at the Ormeau Road event sparked controversy amid accusations of heavy handed policing. The incident, which occurred as police raised concerns about Covid regulations, lead to condemnation and is now the subject of a Police Ombudsman investigation.
In her statement, the Minister said: “This was always going to be a painful and difficult day for the survivors and the families of those murdered at Sean Graham’s bookmakers. Our thoughts are with them as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved ones on this 29th anniversary.
“I understand why the events this afternoon have left emotions running high. However, we now need calm and cool heads to prevail.
“As I have said publicly many times, funerals and memorials are particularly sensitive when it comes to enforcement of the Coronavirus regulations which, at their core, are designed to keep people safe and save lives.
“Policing is an incredibly difficult job at the best of times but is even more so during this pandemic. It is therefore important that as a community we all continue to try our best to work together through these challenges.
“Where there are concerns or frustrations in relation to police actions, those should be channelled through the Patten accountability structures of the Policing Board and the Police Ombudsman, designed specifically to ensure impartial and independent oversight.”
