Burrows Blog

For part one of this blog see the https://afaircopuk.blog/2025/04/02/seans-allegations-against-his-former-colleagues-are-very-serious-very-suspect/

Introduction.

In this blog I reveal vital new information that is highly relevant to the high profile allegations of sectarianism that were made by the former PSNI officer ‘Sean’ in the Belfast Telegraph.

At the outset I repeat what I have said everytime I write about this story – sectarianism is wrong and has no part in policing. If the (so far) unsubstantiated allegations made by Sean are true then some officers should be sacked.

However, two things can be true at once. Sectarianism is wrong, but particular allegation can be untrue.

Sadly, the nature of how the allegations were made by Sean has resulted in an intolerable situation. Sean has not made a misconduct complaint to the PSNI since his headline story in the Belfast Telegraph on the 08.03.2025. Nor as far as we know, has Sean responded to offers by the PSNI leadership for a meeting.

As a result, no misconduct investigation is currently taking place and therefore Sean’s allegations can neither be proved nor disproved.

The pending litigation that was announced last month by KRW Law who are representing Sean might take years to resolve, and we do not know if they will address the specific allegations of sectarian abuse Sean has publicly made.

His former colleagues, an identifiable group within policing circles, therefore now collectively live and many still serve under an immovable cloud of suspicion. This is despite their universal rejection of the allegations, their offer to provide sworn evidence and their demand for an investigation. This is manifestly unfair.

The publicly made allegations are also corrosive to public trust in the PSNI and undermine diverse recruitment as well as police morale. So responding publicly in the way 43 of retired TSG (Tactical Support Group) are doing, and that I do via this blog, is a matter of both public interest and fair comment.

Sean’s lawyer has warned (via a front page headline in the Irish News 09.04.2025) that there should be no questioning of his integrity and that Sean’s account was his ‘lived experience’. The group of retired officers merely offer clarity, context and their lived experience to the allegations Sean entered into the public domain.

Contrary to Sean’s claim made in the Irish News that anyone else is trying to silence him, his former colleagues and myself want him to make a misconduct complaint to the PSNI so this matter can be investigated.

It is also regrettable, that Sean left so many clues as to his own identity in the original Belfast Telegraph article, which in turn by extension, led to a form of jigsaw identification of his former colleagues as potential bigots. They have a right to reply.

It is for an adjudicatory body to determine the truth in this case, but in the interim and for reasons explained above, I now bring more important information into the public domain.

Let’s first recap part 1 of the blog.

Recap

In part one of the blog I analysed Sean’s testimony to the Belfast Telegraph and raised a number of important issues. To summarise :-

1. Sean claimed he was being pursued for ‘thousands of pounds which I don’t have’ by the Police Federation for ‘medical bills’. Yet there was no mention (in the newspaper report in any case) of the fact he received a very large six figure pension lump sum and an ongoing significant annual pension that is index linked.
2. Sean described being made to feel ‘like dirt’ by the Police Federation because they were making these demands for money. In fact, Sean’s legal bills for his medical retirement process would have been fully paid by the Federation, the money he owes was for private medical reports he requested, officers sign a very clear form promising to pay that money back. The scheme is fair and transparent, you don’t even pay the money back unless you are successful in your retirement application.
3. The description of his TSG being ‘30 men’ and ‘3 Catholics’ was critiqued. The demographics of the TSG described by Sean was inaccurate. There were females in his TSG and there were very strong and supportive Catholic supervisors. One inspector is in charge of a TSG. Sean actually had three Catholic inspectors in his time in this TSG.
4. Sean it appeared told the Belfast Telegraph that he never reported formally or informally his experiences in the TSG. Yet in an email written by Sean it appears he told other people he had on ‘instances raised issues of sectarian behaviour but these were ‘ignored, dismissed or resulted in further victimisation’. Why the apparent difference? Since my last blog the Chief Constable indicated that Sean reported something last year, but didn’t fully engage and no wrongdoing was found by the PSNI. This needs clarified and the Chief Constable could usefully provide a timeline to the Policing Board.
5. The Ash Wednesday allegation. TSG’s are close knit units, they travel to work together (share lifts) get briefed together, patrol in groups and train in groups. Of the scores of people who worked with Sean, no one in the retired officer group or anyone else they have spoken to can ever recall him wearing ash on his forehead once. They will provide sworn testimony to that. Of course if this did happen I hope Sean says who it was who abused him – and if that person is serving they should be dealt with via dismissal if a case is proved. However, this allegation is a mystery to Sean’s colleagues.

Let’s provide some fresh analysis of Sean’s testimony to the Belfast Telegraph.

1. Sean says he wouldn’t join the PSNI again nor recommend it as a career.

This is of course Sean’s opinion, but it certainly comes as a surprise to those who worked with him. Sean’s former colleagues have told me detailed accounts of how much he said he loved being in the TSG in particular.

On occasions (specific incidents being recalled) Sean said “Where would I get a job like this again” and that being in the TSG was perfect job. His colleagues weren’t surprised that he stayed in their team for 15 years. Sean has expressed a viewpoint of course in the Belfast Telegraph – I merely point out he expressed a very different one previously.

The retired group of officers and myself collectively find it disappointing that Sean is expressing a sentiment that might dissuade other Catholics from joining the PSNI. They cannot think of how they could have supported him more (personally and professionally) and we all believe under represented groups should be encouraged to join the PSNI.

2. Sean says he kept his head down and tried to fit into his TSG.

The consistent testimony I heard from retired officers, supported by numerous evidence in text messages paints a picture of Sean being a happy and fully involved member of the team.

Sean went on various social trips with his TSG colleagues. He kept in touch with TSG colleagues (serving and retired) whilst he was off on sick leave prior to his retirement and after he retired, this included meeting for coffee, seeking financial advice, and initiated text conversations.

This was a pattern of behaviour consistent of his time in the TSG and after he left it and up to the publication of the article in the Belfast Telegraph the 08th March 2025.

Sean invited his TSG colleagues to his wedding and his colleagues were delighted to attend and brought their partners. His former colleagues have told me how they assisted in liaising with local police about security for the wedding so that Sean and his family could have a wonderful worry free day. This security was important because of threats Sean endured from dissident republicans and the location of the wedding.

3. His culture was supported, not suppressed.

Sean not only was open with his colleagues about playing GAA, he was given discretionary flexibility to play by his supervisors. We are talking here about matches with his own club, as opposed to when representing PSNI GAA team.

He was frequently allowed to come in late or go home early if he was playing GAA. There is extensive testimony about this from his former colleagues. Sean might not recommend the PSNI to young Catholics, but I wonder how many other organisations or colleagues would provide such flexibility?

When Sean played GAA matches, even without being formally tasked his colleagues provided some additional security at times of high dissident threat. Sean’s colleagues upheld his right to express his culture and enjoy his sporting pursuits.

The location of his wedding venue was also supported by his own TSG colleagues working with Garda Síochána to ensure a safe day. The testimony I have heard is consistent and compelling in regard the support Sean received so that he could enjoy his culture, family and social life and also be a member of the PSNI.

4. The history of traumatic incidents Sean attended.

The Belfast Telegraph article said that Sean was ‘there in the aftermath of the murders of PSNI officers Stephen Carroll and Ronan Kerr, and after the attempted murder of his friend Ryan Crozier…and he was ‘present after the attempted murder of John Caldwell’.

Sean’s solicitor stated in the Irish News that those with a “vested interest” have a right to publicly comment, but they shouldn’t question his integrity. I make no comment on his integrity; I simply observe that when I read what was written in the Belfast Telegraph I inferred that Sean has responded to these terrorist incidents on the day they happened, and/or was directly involved in the physical crime scene and saw harrowing scenes.

I have obtained a detailed account of the deployments of Sean’s TSG in relation to the incidents that the Belfast Telegraph listed. The information I now present has been more than triple sourced and more importantly the PSNI will have firm records on its databases.

i. Sean’s TSG in question did not attend the scene the evening of the Ryan Crozier attempted murder. Sean’s TSG in question were involved in a search of an adjacent field in the following days.

ii. Sean’s TSG was not at the scene of the dreadful Ronan Kerr murder. This TSG were involved in follow up searches in the days and weeks after this attack.

iii. Sean’s TSG did not attend the scene of Stephen Carroll murder the night he was tragically shot dead. This TSG attended the next day and were involved in searches around the suspected firing point and the get away route.

iv. Sean’s TSG were not deployed to the scene of the attempted murder of DCI John Caldwell on the night he was shot. This TSG were off that evening. Sean’s TSG were involved in searches connected with the investigation in the days after the shooting.

My key point is that the PSNI can check Sean’s TSG deployments and cross reference them, there is an audit trail. It is dreadfully sad when colleagues are murdered and injured, however the retired members of this TSG simply want to make clear, their TSG was involved in follow up only operations such as house or get away route searches and were not at the physical crime scenes, nor did they on these occasions see their injured or fallen colleagues.

Dozens of Sean’s former colleagues are not aware of Sean doing any roles that were different from the rest of their team in relation to these terrorist incidents.

Of course we are going by what the Belfast Telegragh reported as Sean’s conversation with them, because this part of the article wasn’t a direct quote from Sean. Perhaps Sean did provide fuller details and it was just summarised for brevity in a way that was inadvertently misleading.

4. The mistreatment of Sean was particularly bad in TSG.

Sean states that the majority of his bad experiences of sectarianism were in the TSG. Of course it’s for Sean to evidence this at court.

The retired members in the group just emphasise they are unaware of any transfer request, grievance or complaint he made in the 15 years he was in their TSG (except for the vague reference at April’s Policing Board meeting to some complaint made last year when he was retiring, that the Chief Constable indicated did not result in any misconduct being found).

Certainly no one in the retired group or anyone else they know who is still serving, was ever investigated over any allegations.

The only fall out involving Sean they are aware of was a minor issue about a chair, that actually involved a colleague of the same religion as Sean.

Sean would ask at times for flexibility to attend school events for example – leaving early – typically his former supervisors found a way to accommodate him and went above and beyond doing so. They are gobsmacked about Sean’s portrayal of his time in their TSG.

I have offered a compelling account of the support Sean was provided in this TSG, which is considered and has been considered for many years, one of the finest in the PSNI with a very high officer retention level.

Due to the nature of TSG’s, they can with supportive leadership and good will, accommodate requests such as Sean made more readily than some other teams in the PSNI. This support is being collated now by former colleagues for use by the PSNI in defending any future claim.

Conclusion.

Sean’s former colleagues who I have been speaking to and for remain bewildered by what has happened and are still worried about their friend and former colleague. However, their own wellbeing and feelings have been affected by what he has publicly alleged.

They repeat that they have sent their names to PSNI Legal Services stating their willingness to offer sworn testimony. This diverse group of individuals are securing and preserving evidence and they are determined to restore their reputations.

In terms of what the senior leadership of the PSNI should do now, I say this.

The presumption of innocence is sacred and whilst it is rebuttable, in this case no specific allegation has been made against serving and former TSG colleagues of Sean. We are also told he has not made a misconduct complaint since his news article 5 weeks ago.

Therefore Sean’s former colleagues in this TSG are innocent and the Chief Constable should state they have his unequivocal support. The serving colleagues of Sean cannot police under the dark shadow that is now hanging over their heads. It cannot be good for their mental health or operational confidence.

I would also say to Sean. If there are rogue officers in the PSNI who are engaging in the sectarian abuse you allege – please tell the PSNI who it is. Otherwise they could be abusing other Catholic officers or staff, or acting in a partisan way when they are exercising their powers. It would be in the public interest for you to do so. Name names.

And if there is anything mistaken in what you have alleged – it is never too late to do the right thing and correct the record.

End.

Important postscript.

For the absence of doubt – this blog does not call into question Sean’s integrity. It raises issues about his allegations and platforms the views of retired colleagues who have a right to reply and wish to enter on the public record important information and their own perspective about relevant matters.

There is a public interest in raising such issues given the public nature of Sean’s allegations in the Belfast Telegraph on 08.03.2025. The allegations impact on his former colleagues reputations, well-being and other key issues such as community trust in the PSNI.

Sean’s true identity will never be compromised by any of the retired group of officers or myself. We respect his anonymity and everyone will be polite and civil if they bump into Sean.