Cop sacked for sending ‘sectarian, racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic' messages
Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the PSNI code of ethics. Stock image
A police officer has been dismissed for sending 'highly inappropriate and offensive' messages after a person who received them complained to the Police Ombudsman.
The messages, sent via WhatsApp over a number of months, including when the officer was on duty, contained material that was sectarian, racist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, misogynistic and sexualised.
The complainant contacted the Police Ombudsman when the officer continued to send the material, despite having been asked to stop on two occasions.
'Digital analysis of the police officer's phone showed that he had sent multiple images and videos, which were highly inappropriate and offensive, to the complainant, other members of the public and other police officers,' said Nikki Davis, director of investigations with the Police Ombudsman's Office.
'This was not a one-off, isolated incident, which could potentially be attributed to a lapse in judgement. It was sustained, consistent behaviour, exacerbated by the police officer's view, when interviewed by our investigators, that he did not consider the material to be offensive or his actions to be in breach of the PSNI code of ethics.'
Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the code of ethics.
The Police Ombudsman's Office also found some of the material was an example of 'online gender-based hate speech'.
'When this kind of messaging specifically targets women and combines sexual, racist and sectarian references, it moves into the realm of online gender-based hate speech,' said Mrs Davis.
'For a police officer to display these attitudes and behaviours towards women is unacceptable, and specifically undermines the PSNI's commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
'However, this case demonstrates that allegations of misconduct will be robustly investigated and that officers will be held to account, all of which contributes positively to public confidence in policing.'
Following the conclusion of the Police Ombudsman investigation, a file was submitted to the PPS in relation to the potential offences of misconduct in public office and sending grossly offensive messages contrary to the Communications Act (2003).
The PPS directed no prosecution.
A misconduct file was then submitted to the PSNI professional standards department. The Chief Constable held a special hearing, after which the officer was dismissed.
He was found to have breached a number of articles of the PSNI code of ethics, including those relating to:
Professional duty where 'whether on or off duty, police officers shall not behave in a way that is likely to bring discredit upon the police service';
Equality where 'police officers shall act with fairness, self-control, tolerance and impartiality when carrying out their duties. They shall use appropriate language and behaviour in their dealings with members of the public, groups from within the public and their colleagues. They shall give equal respect to all individuals and their traditions, beliefs and lifestyles provided that such are compatible with the rule of law';
Integrity where 'police officers shall act with integrity towards members of the public and their colleagues so that confidence in the police service is secured and maintained. They shall avoid all forms of behaviour that may reasonably be perceived to be abuse, harassment, bullying or victimisation'.
Eight police officers who received the messages and failed to report or challenge them were referred to PSNI in relation to potential breaches of the PSNI code of ethics. Stock image
News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 31
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Post
40 minutes ago
- Irish Post
Child victim of convicted online groomer Max Hollingsbee speaks out
A TEENAGER who was targeted by convicted online groomer Max Hollingsbee when she was just 15 years old has spoken out about the impact the abuse had on her. Immy, which is not her real name, is now 18 years old. Lurgan-based Hollingsbee used the so-called 'catfish' method to groom and coerce teenage girls into sending him indecent images over a period of almost two years. In May he was sentenced to five years and two months behind bars after pleading guilty to a total of 42 charges against him, They included blackmail, possessing indecent images of children, distributing indecent images of a child, sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and unauthorised access to computer material. Including Immy, the offences involved 14 female victims in total, mostly from England, which Hollingsbee carried out when he was aged between 17 and 19. Immy was the first person to report the abuse to police, which launched an investigation uncovering the rest of his victims. She is now speaking out publicly to support a PSNI campaign which seeks to raise awareness of predators in online spaces. Max Hollingsbee (Image: PSNI) 'When I got added on Wizz from someone I didn't know personally I thought nothing of it, it is pretty normal for young people to add people from 'suggested friends' lists,' she explains. 'At the time I was a relatively awkward 15-year-old girl, I struggled to make friends and didn't have much self-confidence. 'When this good-looking guy my age showed interest in me and complimented me, I felt special. But, it went zero to 100 within one day of chatting. 'The compliments quickly turned sexual, and he suggested sending intimate images of each other. He made me feel like he would lose interest if I didn't, he promised it was only between me and him. 'Once I sent him an image, he switched. Started blackmailing and threatening to share them with my friends if I didn't send him more and do more for him.' She added: 'He had convinced me prior to the blackmailing that I should allow him to enter my snapchat account without reporting him and I did because of his grooming however he did end up sending my images to a close female friend of mine. I felt like the world was collapsing around me, I blacked out during this time and have holes in my memory. 'I ran into my mum's room and just remember collapsing into her arms and crying. I showed her what was going on and just remember crying on a ball on the floor of her room. I didn't really know what was happening or what to do. If I hadn't of told my mum, I dread to think what would have happened next.' Immy says once she told her mum what had been happening she 'never regretted it'. 'Although I was so embarrassed to show my mum I have never regretted for a second speaking out and getting help,' she admits. 'Both her and the police were incredible, not judgmental at all. By being the first of his victims to speak out, others were discovered and came forward and I feel like we prevented more children from being targeted. 'When I found out he'd been arrested, charged and then later sentenced, I felt a huge wave of relief and I was proud of myself for being brave.' The PSNI's Detective Chief Inspector Claire Gilbert, from the force's Public Protection Branch, said groomers 'operate in a very similar way, concealing their identity online pretending to be the same age as a child'. 'They use fake profile pictures, pretending to have similar interests to gain the trust of the child before steering the conversation to a sexual nature. 'Once trust in established, they use power and control to make, force, blackmail, guilt or trick a child into doing what the groomer wants. 'They may persuade a child to take part in online sexual activity including sharing explicit images and videos and livestreaming sexual acts.' She added: "Recognising the signs of online grooming can be hard as often child predators are incredibly manipulative and tell children not to talk to anyone about it. Sometimes children don't realise they've been groomed and may believe they are in a 'relationship'." DCI Gilbert explained: 'It is a crime for anyone to possess, make, distribute or show anyone an indecent image of a child under 18 years of age. "This offence can be committed by an adult or a child. It is also a crime for an adult to send a sexually explicit image of themselves to a child. 'We have specialist detectives within the Child Internet Protection Team who are dedicated to robustly investigating those who contribute to the cycle of child abuse and bringing those responsible before the courts. "We use specialist technology to examine digital devices and trace any digital interaction right back to the person, making it difficult for offenders to hide evidence from us. 'If a person is downloading, viewing or making indecent images of children, you are leaving a digital footprint and we are actively looking for you. "I would encourage anyone with concerns or information to get in contact us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.' See More: Max Hollingsbee, Northern Ireland, Online Grooming
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 44, dies from injuries after falling off electric scooter as cops confirm ‘no other vehicle involved' & plea issued
It comes following a fatal crash in Co Limerick this morning ROAD TRAGEDY Man, 44, dies from injuries after falling off electric scooter as cops confirm 'no other vehicle involved' & plea issued A MAN has died after falling from an electric scooter in Co Antrim last weekend. The 44-year-old died from his injuries following the collision, which did not involve any other vehicles, in the Ravernet Road area of Lisburn last Saturday evening. Members of the PSNI rushed to the scene after receiving a report at around 6.45pm that a man had fallen from an electric scooter. He was rushed to hospital to be treated for his injuries but has since sadly passed away. Roads Policing Inspector Cherith Adair, from the Police Service Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Sadly, he has since passed away in hospital from these injuries. "Our officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the collision, and would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have captured dash-cam or other footage which could assist with our enquiries. 'Please call us on 101, quoting reference CW 1437 09/08/25, or submit information online." A statement from the PSNI said: "The Police Service of Northern Ireland can sadly confirm a 44-year-old man has died from his injuries following a single-vehicle collision in Lisburn on Saturday, 9th August. "Police attended after receiving a report at approximately 6.45pm that a male had fallen from an electric scooter in the Ravernet Road area. No other vehicle was involved. "Officers attended, alongside colleagues from partner emergency services, and he was taken to hospital." Separately, a man has died and a woman has been rushed to hospital following a horror crash on a busy road in Co Limerick this morning. Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads The horrific collision, which involved two cars, took place on the N20 at Ballyouragan in Croom, Co Limerick at around 7:25am. A man, aged in his 40s, was pronounced dead at the scene. A woman, aged in her 30s, was rushed to hospital for treatment of injuries believed to be serious. Gardai confirmed that no other injuries have been reported. WITNESS PLEA In a statement this morning, cops confirmed that they are looking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision to come forward. A spokesperson for the force said: "Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them. "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the area between 7:00am and 7:30am this morning are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardai. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." So far this year, 103 people have lost their lives on Irish roads. A total of 111 people died in collisions on our roads during the same period in 2024.
Sunday World
4 hours ago
- Sunday World
Funeral details announced for killed grandad Stephen Brannigan
His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16 in St. Brigid's Church in Downpatrick and will be followed by interment in Struell Cemetery. The funeral of murder victim Stephen Brannigan will be held this weekend. The 56-year-old died following an incident in the Marian Park area of Downpatrick on Sunday. Mr Brannigan, a father and a grandfather, was pronounced dead at the scene after officers and ambulance service personnel were called to the property following a report of the death of a man at the address. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 16 in St. Brigid's Church in Downpatrick and will be followed by interment in Struell Cemetery. Stephen Brannigan News in 90 Seconds - August 14th The chapel is the same place where a prayer vigil was held last Sunday evening after his body was discovered. Prayers at this gathering were also said for Fr John Murray, who had been assaulted with a bottle in the sacristy of St Patrick's Church. The elderly priest who was due to retire this week is reportedly 'progressing' in hospital. In the funeral notice, Mr Brannigan is remembered as a beloved father and grandfather. 'Dearly beloved husband of the late Dorenda, and much loved father of Gemma and Ciara, loving grandfather of Sophie, Lily, Connor, Clodagh, Holly and Ruairi, dear son of Gerry and Kathleen, and brother of Damien, Michelle, Adrian and Paul,' the funeral notice read. It added: 'Family and friends are welcome to pay their respects at his parents' home." Stephen Brannigan died after an attack in Downpatrick on Sunday (PSNI/PA) On Monday, Mr Brannigan's family thanked the local community for their support following his death. "We want to express our particular thanks to those who organised and gathered for the beautiful prayer vigil in St Brigid's Church in the town on Sunday evening,' they said. "It means so much to us at this difficult time and reflects the very special people who make up the Marian Park and wider Downpatrick community. "Stephen was known among his neighbours and friends as someone who was always willing to help out, ready to do whatever needed to be done for the good of others. "Even the day before he died, he was tending the graves of friends and neighbours, as he did, almost every day, the grave of his late wife Dorenda, who died five years ago from cancer. "Stephen faced many difficult issues in his life. We know his life was not perfect. But for us, he was our dad, our grandad, our son and our brother. "His rock through all of this was Dorenda. We pray they will be reunited now in perfect peace and love.' Hugh Malone appeared in court on Wednesday after being charged with the murder of Mr Brannigan, and attempted murder of Fr Murray. The 30-year-old appeared before Newtownards Magistrates' Court today via video-link from Belfast's Musgrave police station.
