Menu
29/07/2015
Man Admits Police Were Right To Fire Taser
A man has said police did the right thing when they used Taser to prevent him killing himself in Belfast city centre in April last year.
Police received a call that the man was threatening to slit his throat with a razor blade in the Hope Street area on 19 April 2014.
Officers found him outside the Grand Opera House but were instructed not to approach and instead to wait for the arrival of armed response officers.
When they arrived they warned the man several times that if he did not drop the blade Taser would be used. The man, however, continued to shout aggressively.
Officers spoke to the man, but he refused to drop the knife. During this time he had moved towards the Europa Hotel, and he was near the hotel with the blade held against the right side of his throat when an officer discharged his Taser.
The officer was then able to restrain him and remove the blade, allowing paramedics to provide treatment before he was taken to hospital.
The Police Ombudsman's On-call Deputy Senior Investigator was informed within two minutes of the discharge and Police Ombudsman investigators were deployed to the scene.
CCTV footage of the incident was obtained, and police documentation reviewed. The man who had been Tasered was interviewed and stated that he had no complaint about police actions. He accepted that he had a razor blade held to his neck and said police had acted in the best way to stop him killing himself.
(CD/MH)
Police received a call that the man was threatening to slit his throat with a razor blade in the Hope Street area on 19 April 2014.
Officers found him outside the Grand Opera House but were instructed not to approach and instead to wait for the arrival of armed response officers.
When they arrived they warned the man several times that if he did not drop the blade Taser would be used. The man, however, continued to shout aggressively.
Officers spoke to the man, but he refused to drop the knife. During this time he had moved towards the Europa Hotel, and he was near the hotel with the blade held against the right side of his throat when an officer discharged his Taser.
The officer was then able to restrain him and remove the blade, allowing paramedics to provide treatment before he was taken to hospital.
The Police Ombudsman's On-call Deputy Senior Investigator was informed within two minutes of the discharge and Police Ombudsman investigators were deployed to the scene.
CCTV footage of the incident was obtained, and police documentation reviewed. The man who had been Tasered was interviewed and stated that he had no complaint about police actions. He accepted that he had a razor blade held to his neck and said police had acted in the best way to stop him killing himself.
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 June 2016
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
Police Officers Disciplined For Failing To Tell Doctor About Woman's Head Injuries
Two police officers have been disciplined after they failed to let their colleagues and a police doctor know that a woman had sustained a head injury, a Police Ombudsman investigation has concluded. The woman died from bleeding to the brain on 24 February 2014, the day after she suffered the injury.
13 March 2014
Police Justify Using Tasers In Five Incidents
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has found that police were justified in using Tasers during five incidents involving people armed with knives. Four involved people who were threatening to harm or kill themselves, the other involved a person who was using a knife to threaten his mother and sister.
Police Justify Using Tasers In Five Incidents
The Police Ombudsman, Dr Michael Maguire, has found that police were justified in using Tasers during five incidents involving people armed with knives. Four involved people who were threatening to harm or kill themselves, the other involved a person who was using a knife to threaten his mother and sister.
04 September 2015
Police Were Justified In Using Taser - Ombudsman
Police were justified in using Taser during four incidents which involved knives, according to the Police Ombudsman. Three of the incidents involved people self-harming, and in the other, officers feared a knife would be used against them. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had in each instance been lawful, necessary and proportionate.
Police Were Justified In Using Taser - Ombudsman
Police were justified in using Taser during four incidents which involved knives, according to the Police Ombudsman. Three of the incidents involved people self-harming, and in the other, officers feared a knife would be used against them. Dr Michael Maguire found that the use of Taser had in each instance been lawful, necessary and proportionate.
12 April 2017
Man Arrested Over Murder Of George Gilmore
A 39-year-old man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of George Gilmore. Mr Gilmore, aged 44, was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus on Monday, 13 March. He died from his injuries in hospital the following day, 14 March. The suspect was detained in Co Antrim on Wednesday, 12 April, and is being questioned at Musgrave police station.
Man Arrested Over Murder Of George Gilmore
A 39-year-old man has been arrested by police investigating the murder of George Gilmore. Mr Gilmore, aged 44, was shot in the neck in Carrickfergus on Monday, 13 March. He died from his injuries in hospital the following day, 14 March. The suspect was detained in Co Antrim on Wednesday, 12 April, and is being questioned at Musgrave police station.
03 July 2007
Man questioned about 1988 murder
A man has been arrested in connection with police inquiries into a murder in 1988. The body of Lily Smyth, 66, was found in her flat at Moveen House in Dunmurry on October 9, 1988. The pensioner had been strangled. A police spokesperson said that a 43-year-old man had been arrested and is being questioned at Antrim Police Station.
Man questioned about 1988 murder
A man has been arrested in connection with police inquiries into a murder in 1988. The body of Lily Smyth, 66, was found in her flat at Moveen House in Dunmurry on October 9, 1988. The pensioner had been strangled. A police spokesperson said that a 43-year-old man had been arrested and is being questioned at Antrim Police Station.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with good clear spells bringing a rural frost for some and some fog patches in places. Cloudier around the coast of Country Down where the odd light shower may develop. Northerly breezes persisting. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
