A fresh appeal for details has been made, marking 24 years since the violent killing of Arthur Berryman in east Belfast. The incident occurred when intruders broke into his home on Imperial Street in the Woodstock area around 11:30 pm on October 31, 2001, resulting in fatal stab wounds for the 46-year-old victim.
According to police reports, Mr. Berryman was at home with his wife when she opened the door to a masked individual wielding a knife. The assailant then proceeded to stab Mr. Berryman in the living room before fleeing through an adjacent alleyway.
Described as wearing a dark jacket with a hood and a light-colored mask, the attacker managed to escape on foot following the brutal assault. Detective Inspector Ailish McCrissican characterized the incident as a “brutal and prolonged attack on an unarmed man in his residence,” dismissing any suggestion of a sectarian motive.
While two individuals were initially charged in connection with the crime, the charges were later dropped without any convictions. Detective McCrissican urged anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to solve the case and seek justice for Mr. Berryman’s family.
She encouraged potential witnesses who may have seen the attacker in the vicinity of Imperial Street during the incident to cooperate with the authorities. Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact the Legacy Investigation Branch through the provided channels.
Despite the considerable time elapsed since the tragedy, Detective McCrissican reiterated the importance of new leads, acknowledging the enduring impact on Arthur Berryman’s loved ones. The plea for information remains open, with the hope of bringing closure to the unresolved case after nearly a quarter of a century.