Robert Hamill

Robert Hamill 25 years, Garvaghy Road, Portadown, County Armagh, beaten until he was unconscious by a loyalist mob in Portadown on 27 April 1997. He died in hospital on 8 May 1997. The beating took place in the early hours of the morning in full view of RUC members, who watched the attack from inside an RUC vehicle parked only yards away. 

Mr Hamill had been out with several friends enjoying a social evening and after failing to get a taxi home decided to walk the short distance to the nationalist part of the town. One of those with the victim said they thought they would be safe because they could see an RUC vehicle in the street. 

The RUC at first released a statement claiming the young man was injured during clashes between rival factions in the town. Later they admitted it was an attack on four people by a large crowd, but claimed they had not enough manpower to intervene. 

The RUC later arrested and charge six men in connection with the killing but all were later released after the charges were withdrawn.