Latest news with #Pentel
ITV News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Women protesting over Israel's Gaza actions arrested in Belfast
The PSNI has defended the arrests of two women, one of whom is a pensioner during a pro-Palestinian protest in Belfast. Sue Pentel, a long-standing campaigner and Martine McCullough were detained by police outside a Barclays Bank branch in Castle Place on Saturday. Both were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. The PSNI said its actions were lawful and proportionate Speaking to UTV earlier today, the women criticised the PSNI's actions. Jewish grandmother Ms Pentel is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military offensive on circulated online of the arrest of Ms Pentel indicate the alleged offence related to the placing of stickers on the bank's ATM pensioner and the other woman who was arrested, aged in her 50s, were released later on Saturday pending a report to Northern Ireland's Public Prosecution Service (PPS).Ms Pentel's solicitor Padraig O Muirigh said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine.'She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protesting these ongoing atrocities.'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute.'Mr O Muirigh said he would also be advising Ms Pentel in 'relation to the lawfulness of her arrest'.Sinn Fein Assembly member Pat Sheehan described the police actions as 'disgraceful'.'We will be raising our concerns directly with the PSNI,' he a statement, the PSNI said police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning.A spokesman confirmed two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal said the women were later released pending a report to the has been a target for pro-Palestine protesters who claim the bank is linked to companies supplying weapons to has previously addressed the criticism, saying it provides financial services to nine defence companies supplying Israel but does not directly invest in such bank has said it has become the target of a disinformation campaign over its ties to defence companies.
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI defends arresting pro-Palestine pensioner in Belfast: ‘Lawful and proportionate'
Sue Pentel (72) was one of two women detained on suspicion of criminal damage following the incident outside a Barclays Bank branch in Castle Place on Saturday. The arrest of the Jewish grandmother – who is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military action in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack – is now the subject of a Police Ombudsman investigation. After reviewing footage of the incident, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the action of officers involved have been deemed "lawful and proportionate." "There has been considerable public interest in the arrest of two people following a reported criminal damage in Belfast City Centre on 24th May. Both individuals were released from custody on the same day and have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service for criminal damage,' he added. "I am limited in what I can say about this incident as the matter is now subject to investigation by the Police Ombudsman. "However, due to the degree of interest in this case, I want to reassure the public that, having reviewed footage of the incident (including from body worn camera,) I am satisfied that our officers acted with courtesy and professionalism. They were reacting to an emergency call from a City Centre business and their actions were lawful and proportionate to the situation they discovered.' According to reports, the two suspects were arrested after stickers promoting a boycott of the bank were allegedly placed on an ATM. Police have been criticised following the incident with Ms Pentel stating through her solicitor that she will 'robustly contest' any charges that are brought. ACC Henderson acknowledged the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as fundamental human rights. "They allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest and are protected in law – we will continue to uphold these rights,' he continued. "However, they must be balanced with the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime." There has been criticism of Barclay's financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel with several other branches across the UK previously targeted. Videos circulating online show Ms Pentel being spoken to at length by PSNI officers as she says 'children are dying in Gaza' before being led away to the back of a police vehicle. News Catch Up - Monday 26 May Both suspects were released on Saturday evening and reported to the Public Prosecution Service. Pádraig O Muirigh, who represents Mrs Pentel said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine. "She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities. 'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute. We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest today.'
Belfast Telegraph
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
PSNI defend arresting pro-Palestine pensioner in Belfast: ‘Lawful and proportionate'
Sue Pentel (72) was one of two women detained on suspicion of criminal damage following the incident outside a Barclays Bank branch in Castle Place on Saturday. The arrest of the Jewish grandmother – who is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military action in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack – is now the subject of a Police Ombudsman investigation. After reviewing footage of the incident, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the action of officers involved have been deemed "lawful and proportionate." "There has been considerable public interest in the arrest of two people following a reported criminal damage in Belfast City Centre on 24th May. Both individuals were released from custody on the same day and have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service for criminal damage,' he added. "I am limited in what I can say about this incident as the matter is now subject to investigation by the Police Ombudsman. "However, due to the degree of interest in this case, I want to reassure the public that, having reviewed footage of the incident (including from body worn camera,) I am satisfied that our officers acted with courtesy and professionalism. They were reacting to an emergency call from a City Centre business and their actions were lawful and proportionate to the situation they discovered.' According to reports, the two suspects were arrested after stickers promoting a boycott of the bank were allegedly placed on an ATM. Police have been criticised following the incident with Ms Pentel stating through her solicitor that she will 'robustly contest' any charges that are brought. ACC Henderson acknowledged the right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly as fundamental human rights. "They allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest and are protected in law – we will continue to uphold these rights,' he continued. "However, they must be balanced with the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime." There has been criticism of Barclay's financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel with several other branches across the UK previously targeted. Videos circulating online show Ms Pentel being spoken to at length by PSNI officers as she says 'children are dying in Gaza' before being led away to the back of a police vehicle. News Catch Up - Monday 26 May Both suspects were released on Saturday evening and reported to the Public Prosecution Service. Pádraig O Muirigh, who represents Mrs Pentel said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine. "She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities. 'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute. We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest today.'
Sunday World
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Pensioner arrested during pro-Palestine protest outside bank ‘will not stay silent'
Sue Pentel was one of two women held on suspicion of criminal damage after an incident on Saturday Sue Pentel was one of two campaigners arrested on Saturday A pensioner arrested during a pro-Palestine protest outside a bank in Belfast will 'robustly contest' any charges that are brought, her solicitor has said. Sue Pentel was one of two women held on suspicion of criminal damage after an incident on Saturday. The 72-year-old Jewish grandmother is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military action in Gaza. Her solicitor said she was arrested 'whilst peacefully protesting against the ongoing genocide in Palestine at Barclays Bank'. According to reports, the two women were arrested after stickers promoting a boycott of the bank were allegedly placed on an ATM. There has been criticism of the bank's financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel. Several other branches of Barclays across the UK have previously been targeted. Videos circulating online show Ms Pentel being spoken to at length by PSNI officers. She tells officers: 'Children are dying in Gaza' and is then led away to the back of a PSNI vehicle. Both women were released on Saturday evening and reported to the Public Prosecution Service. Pádraig O Muirigh, who represents Mrs Pentel said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine. "She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities. 'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute. We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest today.' The PSNI said: 'Police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning, May 24. 'Officers attended and two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. 'The women – one aged in her 70s and the other in her 50s – are in custody, assisting with police enquiries at this time.' The pair were taken to Musgrave PSNI station, where campaigners gathered to show their support. The IPSC Belfast expressed shock at "the PSNI treatment of a lifelong anti-racist activist who was arrested for standing up to protect international human rights and law'. The group said they support "the international calls for the boycott of companies which help to fund and arm Israel in its brutal campaign against the people of Palestine'. Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan criticised the arrests. Sue Pentel was one of two campaigners arrested on Saturday News in 90 Seconds - May 25th 2025 'It is disgraceful that Sue Pentel — an elderly Jewish woman who has consistently and bravely campaigned for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza — has been arrested by the PSNI,' he said. 'Highlighting the genocidal, inhumane slaughter of defenceless civilians — and those who enable it — is not a crime.' Mr Sheehan added: 'We will be raising our concerns directly with the PSNI.' People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: 'All over the world Israel's legitimacy has utterly crumbled. And so the establishment is ramping up its repression to try and silence protestors.' SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said he was 'deeply concerned' by the arrests. He said they happened during a peaceful protest. 'Barclays should rightfully be boycotted due to their financial ties with companies that supply weapons and military technology to Israel,' he added. 'I stand in full solidarity with these activists and call for them to be released without charge.' Barclays Bank has been contacted for comment.
Irish Independent
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Jewish pensioner arrested during pro-Palestine protest outside Belfast bank ‘will not stay silent', lawyer says
Sue Pentel was one of two women held on suspicion of criminal damage after an incident on Saturday. The 72-year-old Jewish grandmother is a high-profile campaigner against Israel's military action in Gaza. Her solicitor said she was arrested 'whilst peacefully protesting against the ongoing genocide in Palestine at Barclays Bank'. According to reports, the two women were arrested after stickers promoting a boycott of the bank were allegedly placed on an ATM. There has been criticism of the bank's financial ties with arms companies that sell weapons to Israel. Several other branches of Barclays across the UK have previously been targeted. Videos circulating online show Ms Pentel being spoken to at length by PSNI officers. She tells officers: 'Children are dying in Gaza' and is then led away to the back of a PSNI vehicle. Both women were released on Saturday evening and reported to the Public Prosecution Service. Pádraig O Muirigh, who represents Mrs Pentel said: 'Our client has refused to remain silent whilst thousands of innocent children have been killed, and many more thousands are starving as food and medicine is refused entry into Palestine. "She has committed no offence and should not be criminalised for exercising her right to peaceful protest against these ongoing atrocities. 'Our client will robustly contest any attempt to criminalise her if a decision is made to prosecute. We will also be advising her in relation to the lawfulness of her arrest today.' ADVERTISEMENT The PSNI said: 'Police received a report relating to a protest in the Castle Place area of Belfast city centre on Saturday morning, May 24. 'Officers attended and two people have been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. 'The women - one aged in her 70s and the other in her 50s – are in custody, assisting with police enquiries at this time.' The pair were taken to Musgrave PSNI station, where campaigners gathered to show their support. The IPSC Belfast expressed shock at "the PSNI treatment of a lifelong anti-racist activist who was arrested for standing up to protect international human rights and law." The group said they support "the international calls for the boycott of companies which help to fund and arm Israel in its brutal campaign against the people of Palestine." Sinn Fein MLA Pat Sheehan criticised the arrests. 'It is disgraceful that Sue Pentel — an elderly Jewish woman who has consistently and bravely campaigned for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza — has been arrested by the PSNI,' he said. 'Highlighting the genocidal, inhumane slaughter of defenceless civilians — and those who enable it — is not a crime.' Mr Sheehan added: 'We will be raising our concerns directly with the PSNI.' People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: 'All over the world Israel's legitimacy has utterly crumbled. And so the establishment is ramping up its repression to try and silence protestors.' SDLP councillor Paul Doherty said he was 'deeply concerned' by the arrests. He said they happened during a peaceful protest. 'Barclays should rightfully be boycotted due to their financial ties with companies that supply weapons and military technology to Israel,' he added. 'I stand in full solidarity with these activists and call for them to be released without charge.'
