DUP to meet PSNI after trouble flares at Skegoniell interface

Trouble flared in the Skegoniell Avenue area around 6.30pm leaving one man with a fractured wrist and head injuries.

On Sunday, a spokesman for DUP MP Nigel Dodds said: “A delegation from the DUP will be meeting the police tomorrow morning to discuss the incidents.”

Police said the 20-year-old victim was struck with what is believed to have been a hammer after being set upon by up to 10 people.

A 17-year-old male was arrested a short time later on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who witnessed the attack to contact detectives at Musgrave police station on 101.

Following the incident, TUV councillor Jolene Bunting claimed Cliftonville supporters, who had been at Seaview earlier in the afternoon for the match against Crusaders, had “caused mayhem” in the Skegoneill area.

Cllr Bunting claimed around 30 men had attacked homes and cars in the aftermath of the Irish League Premiership game.

“The IFA must do more to protect residents at interfaces when rival teams meet. Residents have told me that after every match there have been incidents including stone throwing and sectarian abuse. I and the North and the West Belfast TUV team plan to arrange a meeting with the IFA and police and local residents to try to prevent such incidents happening again,” she said.

On Sunday night, one Skegoniell resident contacted the News Letter to say he believed the gang of attackers were “totally unconnected” to the Cliftonville supporters who had already passed through the area.

The resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “This had nothing to do with the game. I doubt that any fan would still be around so long after the game had ended. There has been trouble with Cliftonville fans before but not this time.”