Two Armagh councillors have requested an urgent meeting with the PSNI after a video showing an arrest in the city centre on Saturday evening sparked concern in the local community.
The footage, which has been widely shared on social media, appears to show a man and a woman being restrained on the ground in the Shambles area of Armagh on Saturday night.
During the struggle, the male appears to be struck several times by an officer as police attempt to restrain him. Concerns have been raised by members of the public around the perceived use of “excessive force” from one of the officers.
In a joint statement, Sinn Féin councillors Sarah Duffy and John Óg O’Kane said they had been contacted by a number of constituents alarmed by what the video appears to show.
Their statement reads: “We are aware of a video currently circulating on social media relating to an incident involving the PSNI and a member of the public at the Shambles area of Armagh on Saturday night.
“Given the level of the concerns that have been raised with us by members of the local community, we have requested an urgent meeting with the PSNI to discuss the matter and to receive an update on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“As local representatives, it is our responsibility to ensure that the concerns of our community are heard and addressed. We believe openness, engagement and transparency are essential in maintaining public trust, and we look forward to discussing these matters directly with the PSNI.”
Cllr Duffy and Cllr Ó’Kane said they would be pressing police for a full account of the circumstances surrounding the incident, and have encouraged anyone with concerns or additional information to come forward.
Armagh I has contacted the PSNI for comment.
