21-05-2025
Former PSNI officer challenges ‘Sean' allegations of anti-Catholic sectarianism in the force
Legal action by ex-PSNI officer alleging serious sectarianism droppedSam McBride and Jon Burrows debate the 'Sean' controversy
A former police officer who was taking action surrounding alleged sectarianism in the police force is no longer doing so.
Known by the alias Sean, the ex-officer who retired at 48 on medical grounds, was a member of a Tactical Support Group unit within the PSNI.
He alleged in March that he was subject to sectarian abuse by fellow officers after becoming one of the PSNI's first Catholic recruits in 2002, saying he had faced sectarianism, including references to 'Fenian b******s', mockery of him for having ashes on his forehead on Ash Wednesday, and a fellow officer whistling 'The Sash'.
After Sean's interview with the Belfast Telegraph, he engaged solicitor Kevin Winters, who said he was taking High Court action against the PSNI in relation to a plethora of incidents.
Despite Chief Constable Jon Boutcher saying the allegations will not be investigated by a court or by the PSNI, Sean's solicitor says he's standing by everything he's alleged.
Mr Boutcher said he'd also met the TSG unit which was 'concerned and hurt' by the claims and he was satisfied that 'there has not been sectarianism towards anybody on that team'.
Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph's Northern Ireland Editor Sam McBride who broke the story, and former PSNI Head of Discipline Jon Burrows, who strongly disputes the claims.
