Northern Ireland

PSNI officer who appeared to punch man not suspended

Footage appears to show a PSNI officer holding a man by the throat
Footage appears to show a PSNI officer holding a man by the throat Footage appears to show a PSNI officer holding a man by the throat
By Connla Young

A PSNI officer who was filmed appearing to punch a man in the face during an altercation has remained on duty.

The video circulated on social media is believed to have been recorded in Moy, Co Tyrone, overnight on Saturday.

It appears to show an officer restraining a man by the throat on the ground before apparently throwing a left-handed punch which strikes him in the face.

The video shows that as the disturbance develops another officer becomes involved and, as the pair continue to grapple with the man, a woman attempts to intervene.

While the PSNI has said the "material has been referred to Professional Standards Department" the officers featured in the video remain on duty.

The PSNI said it was aware of footage online and no complaints have been raised.

FOOTAGE: A PSNI member was filmed appearing to punch a man in the face
FOOTAGE: A PSNI member was filmed appearing to punch a man in the face FOOTAGE: A PSNI member was filmed appearing to punch a man in the face

A spokesman added that two men, aged 28 and 34, have been charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour and will appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court on December 17.

Aontú councillor Denise Mullen said she had received more than a dozen complaints about the incident.

A spokesman for the Police Ombudsman said: “We have not received a public complaint, however we are aware of the incident and are currently considering it."

Sinn Féin Policing Board member Linda Dillon said she has written to senior officers asking if they "are aware of the incident and if so have they made a referral to the Police Ombudsman's Office".

"Based on the video I have seen, the minimum I would expect is a Police Ombudsman investigation," she added.