Republican News · Thursday 23 January 1997

Tyrone men viciously assaulted

Just hours after he buried his father Tyrone man Sean McGuigan, along with two friends, Kevin Sutton and Trevor Daly, was savagely beaten by the RUC.

McGuigan explained that at the funeral on the morning of Thursday 16 January, the RUC continually harassed the family and mourners. A notorious DMSU member from the area drove in front of the cortege and was seen taking pictures of the mourners. The RUC also noted the registration of cars around the chapel at Tullyallen. The RUC, according to McGuigan, ``gave us the fingers during the funeral''.

After the funeral the mourners went for a drink and later that afternoon as McGuigan, Sutton and Daly went for food at a restaurant in Thomas Street, Dungannon, the RUC attacked them.

``I was still in the restaurant with Trevor. Kevin was outside and a couple of RUC cars stopped and set up a checkpoint beside the restaurant,'' McGuigan said. ``The RUC saw Kevin and just set upon him. There was no provocation. We went out and the RUC set upon us too. They were using batons and boots and they handcuffed Kevin and stood on his back.

``When this was happening they stopped a woman in her car, told her to `get fucking out' and when she saw me getting beaten - they had pushed me over a three foot wall - by three RUC she came over and one of them pushed her away''.

McGuigan, an ex-POW, said that all three received severe injuries and heavy bruising. Sutton has injuries to his arms, shoulders, legs and knees and is on crutches. McGuigan was also badly bruised and has a suspected broken nose.

McGuigan said, ``we have all been charged but the woman who witnessed the assaults has made a statement to her solicitor in our favour and the restaurant owner said he saw the RUC set on us as soon as we got out the door''.

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