Police Ombudsman probes tear gas death
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The Police Ombudsman is investigating the circumstances that led to the death of a man who was sprayed by police with CS gas following a violent incident in Belfast city centre yesterday.
A spokesperson for the ombudsman said: “The man who became unwell during an incident involving police officers in Belfast city centre this morning has died. The incident, during which police officers used CS spray against the man, is currently being investigated by the police ombudsman’s office. The office will release the man’s name in due course.”
The incident, believed to have stemmed from an altercation with taxi drivers, occurred near the Grand Opera House at about 5am on Thursday. The man received medical attention prior to being taken to hospital but the Ombudsman announced at8.00pm that he had died.
Gerry Kelly, Sinn Fein MLA for Belfast North (pictured) issued a statement naming the victim as Gerard McMahon, and called for a thorough investigation “so that his grieving family get the full facts as quickly as possible”.
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