Five men in court over Holylands St Patrick's Day trouble

Disturbances broke out in the Holylands area of the city last month, where large crowds gathered on the streets for the annual celebrations.

One police officer was injured after being hit on the shoulder by a bottle.

Three of the defendants at Belfast Magistrates’ Court face charges linked to disturbances at Agincourt Avenue.

Nineteen-year-old Enda Tierney, from Royal Oak Road in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, is accused of riotous behaviour at that location.

Ciaran McCloy, 20, of Ballymacilcurr Road in Maghera, Co Londonderry, is charged with assaulting two police officers, disorderly behaviour, resisting and obstructing police.

Luke Burns, 21, from Rossorry Terrace in Enniskillen, faces a single count of disorderly behaviour.

Two other men have also been charged over separate alleged incidents in nearby streets on the same day.

Ciaran McConville, 22, is accused of disorderly behaviour close to his address on Carmel Street.

Forty-year-old Thomas Duffy, of Dismas House Hostel on the city’s Ormeau Road, faces the same charge in connection with another incident at Palestine Street.

All five defendants were released on continuing bail after being connected to the alleged offences.

They are expected to confirm their attitude to the charges when they return to court later this month.