Fact Check: A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre.

Fact Check: "A police helicopter also hovered over the town centre."

What We Know

The claim that "a police helicopter also hovered over the town centre" is supported by multiple sources. In a recent report, it was noted that during a period of unrest in Portadown, County Armagh, a police helicopter was indeed observed hovering over the town centre as part of a significant police operation aimed at managing the situation. The report stated that "a police helicopter also hovered over the town centre and officers had to extinguish a number of fires" during the disturbances (BBC News) [2].

Additionally, the D.C. National Guard's deployment of helicopters during protests in Washington, D.C., also involved helicopters hovering at low altitudes, although this incident is separate from the events in Northern Ireland (Washington Post) [1].

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, particularly from the BBC report which directly states that a police helicopter was present and hovering over the town centre during the unrest in Portadown. This source is credible, being a well-established news organization known for its journalistic standards and fact-checking protocols.

Moreover, the context provided in the report indicates that the helicopter was part of a larger police presence aimed at controlling a potentially violent situation, which adds to the reliability of the claim. The report also mentions the presence of a heavy police presence, which corroborates the assertion that aerial support was employed during the disturbances.

The Washington Post article discusses the use of helicopters in a different context but highlights the operational use of helicopters in managing civil unrest, which aligns with the general practice of deploying aerial support in situations of public disorder. However, this source is less directly related to the specific claim about the Portadown incident.

Overall, the evidence from the BBC is clear and direct, while the Washington Post provides useful context about helicopter operations in civil disturbances.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that "a police helicopter also hovered over the town centre" is substantiated by credible reporting from the BBC, which directly references the helicopter's presence during the unrest in Portadown. The corroborating details regarding the police operation further strengthen the validity of the claim.

Sources

1. D.C. Guard misused helicopters in low-flying confrontation ...
2. Masonry thrown at police in fourth night of NI disorder
3. Military helicopters descended on protesters in ...
4. Why a police helicopter has been hovering over parts of a Welsh city
5. Helicopters of DC at CopterSpotter.com
6. Wycombe police helicopter spotted flying low over town
7. Police helicopter hovers near people on top of Brooklyn ...