LATEST: Two arrested after PSNI attacked during Holylands street party - 6 COV4 tickets and 3 COV2 tickets issued - ‘Many of our loved ones are no longer with us. And this is how some people choose to behave?’

Police have been attacked as they tried to break up a large street party in the Holylands area of Belfast.
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Video clips and images of the ‘party’ were shared online early this morning.

Two men were arrested during the incident in Agincourt Avenue in the early hours of Tuesday.

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The Holyland student area has witnessed a series of police interventions in recent months as officers have attempted to break up parties in breach of Covid-19 rules.

Police said they attended Agincourt Avenue after receiving reports that a large crowd of young people were partying in the street.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour and possession of an offensive weapon, and a 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly behaviour.

Both men were subsequently released pending a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

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Officers also issued nine tickets for breaches of coronavirus regulations at a house party in the area.

In a Tweet, Belfast City Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonagh-Brown said: “I despair. This disease is dangerous, circulating in our community, and we have bought progress at huge expense.

“Many of our loved ones are no longer with us. And this is how some people choose to behave?”

In the video (attached to this story) the crowd is seen tightly packed together - and young people can be heard singing and chanting.

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Only up to 15 people are permitted to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing under Northern Ireland’s current rules aimed at reducing the spread of coronavirus.

In another Tweet a Twitter user says: “Great to see all the young ones in the #Holylands abiding by the rules last night.

“Prepare for more lockdown folks cause some wee s****s are ruining it for EVERYONE.

“These same folk will all be heading home this weekend taking whatever they may have caught with them!”

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And another message on Twitter adds: “Ask the teams desperately treating Covid19 patients or cleaning the really sad Covid+ wards knowing they’re in danger of getting the same illness just by being there,

“If they’re comforted by the fact that some of the ones @ the holylands party might work in shops on the frontline”.

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