Arthur Berryman: Appeal over 'savage' murder on Halloween 2001

Arthur Berryman: Appeal over 'savage' murder on Halloween 2001

On the 24th anniversary of the tragic murder of Arthur Berryman in east Belfast on Halloween night, detectives are renewing their appeal for information. Berryman, aged 46, was fatally stabbed multiple times at his residence on Imperial Street in Woodstock at approximately 11:30 PM on October 31, 2001. The brutal attack occurred while Berryman was seated in his living room with his wife, who was pushed to the ground by a masked assailant before he was assaulted.

Detective Inspector Ailish McCrissican of the Legacy Investigation Branch characterized the incident as a “savage and sustained attack on a defenseless man in his own home.” Berryman’s family has been enduring the enduring trauma of his incomprehensible murder, according to Det Insp McCrissican. While the police are considering various potential motives for the killing, they do not believe it was related to sectarianism. The perpetrator, described as wearing a dark jacket with the hood up and a light-colored mask, fled on foot into an adjacent alleyway.

A man and a woman were once charged in connection with Berryman’s murder, but the charges were eventually dropped, and no one has been held accountable for the crime. Det Insp McCrissican noted that over the years, individuals’ circumstances and allegiances may have evolved. She encouraged anyone with information about the case to come forward, even if they had not previously spoken to the authorities. Despite the passage of time, she emphasized that it is never too late to provide crucial details, and assured potential witnesses that they will be heard

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