Seven baton rounds were discharged during serious disorder in the Cambrai Street area of Belfast.
The Police Ombudsman's investigation focused on the discharge by police of seven baton rounds between 10.55pm and 11.06pm on Thursday 27 September 2001. The rounds were discharged during serious public disorder in the Cambrai Street area of Belfast.
Earlier that evening Loyalists had staged a peaceful protest at the junction of the Crumlin Road and Cambrai Street in Belfast, arising out of an incident a few days previously when a Loyalist was allegedly dragged by Republicans into the Brookfield Mill complex and threatened with a gun.
The Police Ombudsman's investigation established that the protest began at 7pm. Shortly afterwards protesters were attacked by an opposing group in the Leopold Street area. The protest continued despite sporadic stoning incidents and the situation later degenerated into serious violence, with members of opposing factions attacking police lines with missiles including bricks, pipe bombs, petrol bombs and fireworks.
A total of 13 police officers received minor injuries during the rioting, in which police came under attack from crowds at Disraeli Court, Ardoyne Road, Cambrai Street, Columbia Road, Ohio Street, Twaddell Avenue and Brompton Park.
A number of stolen cars were set alight during the disturbances, and two low velocity gunfire shots were heard in the vicinity of Cambrai Street. The trouble continued until 1am the following morning.
During their investigation of the incident Police Ombudsman investigators examined police firearms occurrence reports, the police command and control incident log relating to the disturbance, and a video tape taken by a resident. Witnesses were sought and the audio record of police radio transmissions examined.
Lists of all officers on duty and copies of their notebooks were supplied by the PSNI and examined by the Police Ombudsman's team.
Outcome of investigation:
The investigation concluded that police had shown great restraint in the use of baton rounds given the level and extent of violence directed at officers.
The Police Ombudsman's Executive Director, David Wood, said: "This was serious public disorder and I am satisfied that this was not a spontaneous situation but a premeditated and organised assault on not only the police, but also people attempting to carry out a peaceful protest at the junction of Cambrai Street and Crumlin Road."
The Police Ombudsman's report concluded that the deployment and use of the baton guns was "lawful, justified and proportionate, complying with legislation, guidelines, and aspects of Human Rights Legislation."
The training records of baton gunners were also examined and all officers were found to be qualified to discharge baton rounds.