Appeal over ‘savage’ murder on Halloween night 2001

Detectives are appealing for information on the 24th anniversary of the murder of a man in east Belfast on Halloween night.

Arthur Berryman died after being stabbed several times at his home in Imperial Street in Woodstock at around 23:30 GMT on 31 October 2001.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the 46-year-old was with his wife when she answered the door and a masked man pushed her to the ground and stabbed him as he sat in the living room.

Det Insp Ailish McCrissican from the Legacy Investigation Branch said: “This was a savage and sustained attack on a defenceless man in his home.”

“Mr Berryman’s family continue to suffer the devastating effects of this senseless murder”, Det Insp McCrissican said.

“We are exploring a number of potential motives for the murder, however we do not believe the attack on Arthur was in any way sectarian.”

The man was described as wearing a dark coloured jacket with the hood up and had his face covered with a light coloured mask.

He is believed to have made off on foot into an alleyway beside the house.

A man and woman were charged in connection with the murder, but the charges were later withdrawn and no-one has been convicted.

Det Insp McCrissican said: “In the years since Arthur’s murder, people’s circumstances and allegiances may have changed.

“If you have any knowledge of what happened that night, but have not spoken to police previously, please do so now.

“Despite the amount of time that has passed since the murder, it is not too late. If anyone now feels they are able to talk to us, we are ready to listen.”