3 days ago
Veteran claims he was threatened in car park over UDR tattoo on his leg
Footage shared online shows an exchange featuring two men in GAA jerseys
A veteran who says he was intimidated because of a UDR tattoo on his leg has said he won't be reporting the matter to police.
The 53-year-old issued a statement after footage showing an altercation in an east Belfast car park circulated online.
It features two individuals in GAA jerseys in an apparent exchange with a third individual.
It is understood the incident occurred in the Connswater area of east Belfast on Wednesday and that one individual is a former member of the Ulster Defence Regiment.
What sparked the incident is unclear from the footage available online.
DUP leader Gavin Robinson highlighted the matter on Thursday evening and said he trusted the PSNI would investigate the incident.
A screengrab from the footage posted online
News in 90 Seconds - August 15th
"Nobody should face harassment or threats simply out doing shopping in their own community,' he said.
"But much less those who have stood in defence of the freedoms that allow our society to go about our daily lives without the threat of terrorism that was very much more present in years gone by.'
He said DUP colleagues in east Belfast had notified police of the footage.
However, in a statement released via loyalist activist Moore Holmes, the veteran said he would not be reporting the matter.
He said that 'two days ago, in my own area, just going to the shop, I was confronted, intimidated, and threatened all because of the UDR tattoo on my leg'.
He said that a bystander had filmed the incident for his protection.
The veteran added: 'People tried to kill me before during the conflict and they nearly succeeded. This took me straight back to that time.
"The stress and memories have been eating away at me ever since. That is why, for now, I do not intend on going to the PSNI. The thought of going through statements, interviews, and the whole court process would wreck me.'
He added: 'I should be able to walk into a shop, be myself, and be proud of my history without being targeted in my own community.'
The PSNI said they had not yet received any reports in relation to the incident, but confirmed they were aware of the footage.
"While we have not received any reports, we are aware of footage circulating on social media and are conducting enquiries into this,' a spokesperson said.
"We would encourage the public to report any incidents by ringing us on 101, or online at Always call 999 in an emergency.'
