The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) has announced its decision not to prosecute an individual investigated in connection with alleged criminal damage to a portrait at Belfast City Hall in October 2024.

The decision was made after prosecutors concluded there was "no reasonable prospect of conviction for any criminal offence" based on the evidence available.

The incident gained significant attention when First Minister Michelle O'Neill informed the Assembly that a Sinn Féin employee had made the party Chief Whip aware of their involvement, leading to the employee's suspension and subsequent resignation.

The PPS highlighted several significant evidential gaps that prevented a prosecution:

• Broken CCTV: The relevant camera covering the area around the portrait had been out of service for some time, meaning there was no footage of the event.

• No Witnesses: Police were unable to identify any individual who had witnessed the relevant events.

• No Admission: A witness statement made by the Chief Whip in February 2025, detailing her conversation with the individual, recorded that he had denied any knowledge of the damage and made no admission of being at the event. • Inadmissible Evidence: A previous press statement suggesting involvement was deemed inadmissible (hearsay evidence) in light of the direct witness account from the Chief Whip.

A PPS spokesperson stated: "It is understandable that the suspension and resignation of a Sinn Féin member raised expectations that a prosecution would likely follow. However, prosecutors can only initiate proceedings based on the evidence that is available and in this case there were significant evidential gaps which undermined the prospects of a conviction."

Commenting on the decision, the PSNI said: "Police have a duty to conduct investigations where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the commission of criminal offences. Police will make relevant enquiries, interview those with information, question suspects and, in consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, either charge a person or submit a file to the PPS in relation to the investigation. This procedure was followed in this case.

"Prosecutorial decisions are made independently by the Public Prosecution Service and it would be inappropriate to comment further other than to reiterate the Police Service's commitment to treat everyone equally before the law."