Police cleared over pro-Palestine protest arrests in Belfast

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 5 Nov, 12:17 · Archive

Two women arrested during a pro-Palestine protest at a Barclays Bank in Belfast did not have their arrests breached, a Police Ombudsman investigation found.

Sue Pentel, 72, and Martine McCullough, in her 50s, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after stickers were placed on a cash machine outside Barclays Bank in Castle Place in May 2025. The Police Ombudsman investigation found the arrests did not breach police policy or the PSNI's Code of Ethics.

However, the Ombudsman raised concerns that officers took no action against two other women suspected of similar actions. The investigation also noted that one custody officer recorded identical information about both arrests despite the circumstances being different. The officer later accepted he had been negligent but said he had not acted with ill intent.

PSNI Deputy Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the investigation found officers had not acted unlawfully and that no misconduct had been identified. The PSNI accepted recommendations to improve the performance of two officers involved, while no further action was required against a third. Singleton said the PSNI would ensure lessons were learned to support officers and staff.

How it is being reported

• Arrests of two women over ATM stickers during pro-Palestine protest in Belfast did not breach police guidelines, probe findsThey were arrested after police received reports that they had applied stickers to the keys and card slot of a bank machineBelfast Telegraph · 5 Nov, 14:44
• Women’s arrests over ATM stickers during pro-Palestine protest in Belfast did not breach police guidelines, probe findsTwo women were arrested after police received reports that they had applied stickers to the keys and card slot of a bank machineBelfast Telegraph · 5 Nov, 14:44
• Arrests at pro-Palestine protest 'did not breach police guidelines'The arrests of two women during a pro-Palestinian protest in Belfast did not breach police guidelines, an investigation has found.BBC Northern Ireland · 5 Nov, 11:42
• Police Ombudsman reveals outcome of investigation into Pro-Palestine protesters arrestsTwo women were arrested at a protest at Barclays Bank in Belfast City CentreBelfast Live · 5 Nov, 10:49

In this story: Sue Pentel · Martine McCullough · Police Ombudsman · PSNI · Barclays Bank · Belfast

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