DJ struggled for life while restrained, inquest told
But DUP councillors insist it’s fitting for anniversary of 1941 Belfast air raid
A Belfast DJ who died after an incident involving police was struggling for his life while being restrained, an inquest heard.
A coroner is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Gerard Mcmahon.
The 36-year-old, from the Short Strand, died hours after he was held in a prone position by three PSNI officers restraining him on September 8, 2016.
Yesterday one of the officers involved, referred to as Officer B at the inquest, said that when he arrived at the scene around one minute behind his colleagues, named as Officer A and Officer
C, he had assessed Mr Mcmahon as being under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
He also said he considered the possibility that Mr Mcmahon could have been suffering from Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD).
This is a condition brought on by mental health issues or as a result of cocaine use. Symptoms can include bizarre and erratic behaviour, profuse sweating and violent outbursts, following a period of calm.
The inquest, sitting in Belfast, heard that Mr Mcmahon had the condition and that as such he should not have been placed in the prone position which left him particularly vulnerable to positional asphyxiation.
The inquest heard how the three officers restrained Mr Mcmahon on the ground after he became agitated and aggressive as they feared he would escape, with Officers A and B at his two shoulders while Officer C held his legs and applied limb restraints.
In his evidence, Officer B confirmed to the coroner, Joe McCrisken, that he had put his right knee on Mr Mcmahon’s back at his left shoulder while he was being restrained on the ground, saying: “I felt that at the time we were losing control of him with just my hands.”
Officer B, responding to questions posed by the legal representative of Mr Mcmahon’s family, said that in the midst of the struggle and restraint of Mr Mcmahon, he wasn’t thinking that he had ABD or that he was at increased risk from positional asphyxiation because of it.
When asked if he appreciated now that “while this man (Mr Mcmahon) is struggling for his life, you are struggling for control” Officer B said he did, although at the time, he thought Mr McMahon was struggling to escape.
Efforts to administer first aid to Mr Mcmahon were unsuccessful.
The inquest continues.
A PROPOSAL to mark the 80th anniversary of the Belfast Blitz with an air raid siren and searchlights could alarm people, it has been claimed.
Councillors were discussing plans to commemorate the devastating raid, which saw 200 German bombers shell the city on April 15, 1941.
About 1,000 people were killed and 100,000 others left homeless.
At the strategic policy and resources committee, DUP councillor Dale Pankhurst suggested an air raid siren and searchlights be turned on for the anniversary in front of City Hall.
But Sinn Fein councillor Ciaran Beattie said this would be “alarming” for residents.
He asked for something “more positive” — despite a siren being used five years ago for the 75th anniversary.
Councillors were asked by officers if they would agree to mark the 80th anniversary of the blitz, under Covid restrictions, and contribute £1,000 towards the Northern Ireland War Memorial Programme. The commemoration is part of the council’s “Decade of Centenaries”, which will end in March 2022.
The council has suspended live events until this August in light of ongoing restrictions.
Mr Beattie said: “I appreciate Councillor Pankhurst’s suggestion, but might it not be better tohavesomesortofsymbolof peace? Obviously war is a very traumatic time for many, and I think we should try and project a positive message rather than try to remind people of the past.”
He added: “I’m not saying we shouldn’t do this, I am just saying we should look at other suggestions too. I just think an air raid siren going off is a bit alarming for people. If we can be creative around this, and see the city promoted in a positive light, rather than opening ourselves to a bit of criticism.”
DUP Alderman Brian Kingston said: “It is a very significant event in the history of our city — around 1,000 people lost their lives. It was a reality for four years that searchlights had to be around, and that there were anti-aircraft guns. We didn’t have enough indeed, and that was one of the reasons Belfast was hit hard when it was attacked.
“It is part of our history, perhaps part of our history that we lost awareness of, and I think that happened with a lot of things during the Troubles.”
He added: “This is a fitting way, it is not an offensive way to commemorate.”
Mr Pankhurst said: “I don’t see it as any kind of glorification of war. In fact, a symbol of light going through a dark sky at night is probably one of the best symbols of peace.”
The chair of the committee said the chief executive confirmed there would be “further investigation into the options” for the commemoration.
Mr Beattie’s warning around sirens and searchlights has echoes of the alarm infamously caused by “The War of the Worlds” radio broadcast.
In October 1938, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre on the Air had performed a radio adaptation of HG Wells’s novel, creating fake news bulletins describing a Martian invasion of New Jersey.
Some listeners mistook those bulletins for the real thing.
Welles’s escapades made front page headlines on newspapers across America.
‘Asymboloflight going through a dark sky is one of the best symbols of peace’
THE family of a young Co Antrim woman who was killed in a road crash are raising funds for the Northern Ireland Air Ambulance in her memory.
Naomi Lynn (21), a student at Queen’s University, died in the collision near Glarryford on February 19 last year.
Friend and co-worker Andy Burke (23), a passenger in the car, also died.
The pair had worked in a coffee shop at Belfast International Airport.
At Naomi’s funeral in Portglenone First Presbyterian Church, mourners heard her described as talented, creative and sporty.
She was working in Starbucks attheairporttohelpsupporther studies.
She had been due to graduate with a degree in architecture last summer.
To mark the first anniversary of the double tragedy, the familywantedtoraisemoneyforthe
Air Ambulance by raffling off a signed Ulster Rugby shirt.
The emergency helicopter had attended the scene of the collision.
Naomi’s father Bryan said yesterday: “It’s a great charity and it takes around £5,500 per day to run.
“The Government doesn’t support (it), and it’s up to us supporters to raise money for it.”
Mr Lynn added that the last 12 months had been incredibly difficult for the family.
“It’s been a very short year. I can’t believe how quickly a year has passed by, but it’s been a struggle. It has been very trying,” he said.
“But doing something positive keeps our minds occupied.
“Naomi was a fundraiser herself—onedayshetookthenotion of shaving off her hair.
“I said: ‘What! You’re going to shave off your hair’. She told me it was for kids’ cancer.
“There was a wee article in the papers as well where she got all of her hair shaved off. So we just feel that Naomi would like us to be doing something positive.”
Mr Lynn said he, wife Barbara, daughter Jenna, friends and loved ones would be “eternally grateful” for the support shown by the community at the funeral.
There had been plans for the family to host a gala dinner and charity auction in the Tullyglass House Hotel last Friday, but that has been postponed until next year due to the pandemic.
“With the current restrictions the date has been changed to February 19, 2022,” Mr Lynn said.
“Tickets already bought remain valid and tickets are now available for the new date as well.
“We’ve raised around £3,000 to £4,000 so far in the past six days, which is amazing. And then we’ll have funds from the gala.
“And with us being in the restaurant trade ourselves, we’ve a lot of good contacts for auction and raffle prizes.”
‘It’s been avery short year... it’s been a struggle’
Those who wish to enter the competition to win the Ulster Rugby shirt are being asked to make a £10 donation via JustGiving.
The winner will be chosen at a live draw to be streamed on Facebook next month.
Details of the competition can be found via: www.justgiving. vom/fundraising/inmemoryofnaomilynn