Police confirm arrests in Cookstown estate after reports of ‘police brutality’

And advised that any complaints against them can be reported to the Police Ombudsman.

The page of allegations, brought in to the Mid Ulster Mail’s office by local woman Alice Holdsworth, stated: “The people of Monrush in Cookstown are totally disgusted at the behaviour of the PSNI.”

It went on to outline a series of events following a “disturbance” in the Millburn Park area of the estate, in which it said police sought the help of a man they knew, but later “grabbed the man in question”.

It went on to say: “At least four officers put him on the ground, handcuffed him and battered him for two minutes almost breaking his arm. The neighbours did their best to stop it,” it stated, “but were ignored while the PSNI pepper sprayed the crowd.”

The letter said the man was then arrested, but that police could not tell locals why and accused them of “brutally beating an innocent man” - the father of two young children.

Ms Holdsworth also told the Mail that the second man who was arrested was tazered and pepper sprayed before police took him away.

In response to the allegations, Chief Inspector Jane Humphries said: “Police responded to an incident in the Millburn Park area on Friday night (May 23).

“Members of the public were concerned for the safety of others and telephoned police to deal with disorder which had broken out. Police attended and made two arrests.

“Police will continue to patrol Cookstown as they have always done and keep people safe,” she said, before adding: “If anyone has any complaints regarding the conduct of officers they can report these to the Police Ombudsman.”