Republican News · Thursday 4 April 2002

PSNI brutality caught on camera

Donna Miskimmons and Odette Harvey were viciously batoned

At a press conference on Tuesday 2 April, Sinn Féin showed the video recorded on Saturday containing footage of the RUC/PSNI assaults on the nationalist residents.

The video clearly shows what went on at North Queen Street and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly said a copy would be given to the Police Ombudsman's Office.

The video footage was recorded by a nationalist resident at the height of the attacks by the RUC/PSNI and clearly shows the unwarranted attacks on two women, Odette Harvey and Donna Miskimmons.

At one stage, Sinn Féin Councillor Gerard Brophy tried to intervene with the RUC/PSNI and asked the officer in charge to move his men back to the corner of Duncairn Gardens and North Queen Street. He was batoned for his troubles.

Video footage shows Brophy remonstrating with the RUC before he is seen being carried away by local residents. Donna Miskimmons was beaten with batons as she tried to see if her son had been arrested. The 46-year-old woman was then arrested and later charged with riotous behaviour.

other couple, Jim and Odette Harvey, were also attacked with batons. Father of four Jim Harvey, who lost an eye after being attacked by loyalists last November, said he was baffled as to why he was attacked. The video clearly shows Mrs Harvey being hit with batons outside her home.

"The attacks by loyalists have been going on ever since we moved into these homes," said Jim. "There is an 18-foot fence outside our house, but that doesn't stop them. I want to know why they attacked my wife and myself in our garden. Why did the RUC use a Land Rover to break down the gate to beat us?"