Boy (16) arrested over Belfast disturbances

A  16 year-old boy has been arrested and charged by a special police unit set up to identify those involved in the St Patrick…

A  16 year-old boy has been arrested and charged by a special police unit set up to identify those involved in the St Patrick’s Day riots in the Holylands area of Belfast.

Nineteen men were arrested during the trouble, with eight of those having since been charged with public order offences. Reports on the other 11 are being prepared for the Public Prosecution Service.

The 16 year-old boy will appear in court on April 30th. Inquiries are continuing.

Trouble flared on St Patrick's Day when officers moved in to clear revellers from a number of house parties which had spilled onto the street.

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Recent years have seen several similar incidents when students engaged in riotous and violent behaviour. This has led to running tensions with other residents, with some people leaving the district.

Members of the Stormont Assembly’s Employment and Learning Committee branded the behaviour of students in the area as outrageous. They said they intended to ensure the universities pursue the trouble makers and properly discipline them.

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.