Holylands St Patrick's Day disturbances condemned by university chiefs

Officers were targeted with bottles and other missiles in disturbances that broke out in the Holylands when a crowd of around 300 young people gathered on the streets in the early hours of Thursday. There were reports of pro-IRA songs being sung at the police by some of the trouble-makers.

Three men were arrested and one police officer was injured during the disorder, which lasted more than two hours.

The Holylands, an area of heavily populated terraced streets in south Belfast where thousands of college and university students live in multiple occupancy homes, has witnessed similar scenes of disorder on past St Patrick’s Days, with over-indulgence in alcohol the main factor.

Police attended the scene in Agincourt Avenue at around 2am when they received reports of young people blocking the road and throwing bottles at homes and cars.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said calm was restored at around 4.30am.

Queen’s University management and its student union condemned the behaviour. The university said it was working to establish if any of its students were involved.

“While the vast majority of Queen’s students will celebrate St Patrick’s Day in an enjoyable and peaceful manner, Queen’s will fully investigate any complaints or reports of anti-social behaviour,” said a Queen’s spokeswoman.

“A strict off-campus disciplinary code is in place and if any Queen’s student is found to have brought the University into disrepute, they will be subject to the full rigours of this code.”

An Ulster University spokeswoman said on Thursday: “Given the significant amount of work carried out by all partners in advance of St Patrick’s Day, we are disappointed with the behaviour displayed last night.

“The Holyland area of South Belfast attracts a combination of university and college students, non-residents and post-primary students but as yet, it is not possible to verify specifically who was responsible for last night’s behaviour.”

Staff from the main universities are on the ground in the Holylands over the St Patrick’s Day period in a bid to control the festivities.

PSNI Superintendent Darrin Jones said there would be a highly visible police presence in the area over the coming days.

“I want everyone to enjoy the St Patrick’s Day celebrations but I would strongly encourage people to consider the long term consequences of engaging in drunken or anti-social behaviour,” he said.

“Police will deal robustly with any offences to bring people before the courts, and this may lead to career limiting sanctions. Police will be on the streets of Belfast throughout the day to ensure anyone wishing to travel, work or socialise in Belfast can do so safely.”

Three men aged 19, 20 and 21 were arrested on suspicion of a number of public order offences. They were later released on bail.

The injured officer was struck on the shoulder by a bottle.