The Arnon Street killings occurred as sectarian violence intensified in Northern Ireland, particularly targeting the Catholic community amid the political upheaval following the establishment of Northern Ireland in 1921. Just one week prior, the McMahon killings had resulted in the deaths of six members of the same community, escalating fears and tensions among the Catholic populace. The Arnon Street incident involved a group of armed men who targeted their victims believed to have links to nationalist factions. This attack was premeditated and reflected the growing animosity between loyalists and nationalists in post-partition Ireland. The victims were cornered and attacked as they went about their daily lives, with little warning or chance for defense. The brutality of the murders shocked many and served to further entrench divisions within the community.

The killings were part of a broader struggle for power and control in the region. Loyalist gangs from the unionist community were often involved in violent reprisals against nationalist individuals or groups they perceived as threats. Such acts of violence were seen as attempts to assert dominance and control over areas predominantly populated by Catholics. In the wake of this violence, the British government faced increasing pressure to restore order and protect vulnerable communities.

In the aftermath, both community leaders and citizens voiced their outrage while attempting to address the critical issue of sectarian conflict. Local groups began pushing for intervention and greater protections against violence, but the reality was often one of fear and mistrust. These killings contributed significantly to an atmosphere of fear that permeated Catholic neighborhoods, altering relationships and interactions between communities and leading to a cycle of violence that would persist over the subsequent decades.