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Yobs in sectarian clashes at festive lights switch-on
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
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Sectarian tensions have ruined the annual Christmas lights switch-on in Belfast — for the second year in a row.
Riot police had to be deployed on to the streets as hundreds of youths from nationalist and loyalist areas ran amok through the city centre.
A 14-year-old girl, 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested for public order offences but last night a spokesman for the PSNI said all three had been released pending reports.
At least one firework, a number of bottles and stones were hurled at officers in Castle Junction and Royal Avenue, barrels were set alight in the middle of the road on Castle Street and windows were smashed in two vehicles in the North Street area. Sectarian abuse was also shouted between the young rioters.
The PSNI said there were no reports of any injuries.
Although turnout for the annual event was lower than in previous years hundreds of parents who had brought their children to watch Bob the Builder were forced to flee while most of the shops closed their doors and pulled down their shutters.
A number of other young people who had turned out to enjoy the festivities were also left stranded as buses were diverted from the city centre.
Tensions had been rising throughout the evening with a tense stand-off between rival gangs of teenagers, some of whom were clearly under the influence of alcohol, at Castle Junction.
A spokeswoman for Belfast City Council described the trouble as “disappointing”.
She said: “A small minority of youths were intent on causing trouble at what was a fun family event for the city. There is always a fantastic atmosphere in Belfast during the annual Christmas lights switch-on.
“At a time when Belfast is buzzing and attracting tourists and shoppers, this was a great opportunity to showcase all that is good about our city. Instead a very small minority have detracted from the overall success of tonight’s event.”
Meanwhile Councillor Jim Rodgers added: “This seems to be a regular occurrence at the switch-on where crowds of unruly youths come down and are hell bent on causing trouble.
“We are going to have to sit down with the police and see what can be done about this.
“It is a community problem — the children I saw some were as young as 10 and then right up to about 20.
“It is disgraceful and the individuals involved should be ashamed of themselves. I hope the police CCTV footage will help identify them and hope they are made an example of through the courts. It besmirches the good name of Belfast.”
Were you at the Christmas lights switch-on last night? We want to hear from you - email lsmyth@belfasttelegraph.co.uk or telephone 02890 264236
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Comments
75 Comments
Who actually believes this was sectarian and not just little thugs following the example of their elders? Wanna set fire to stuff, smash some shop fronts or steal cars? Blame it on your religious background (not your actual religious views as most hardliners i know don't attend church or mass), and your treated with kid gloves. I say sterilize the offenders to break the cycle !
Posted by ciaran | 29.11.09, 12:58 GMT
When I was young, if I had got up that type of rubbish my Ma would have scalped the backside off me. Time these parents started acting like parents and started clipping the little brats about the ear hole. Or maybe the police should clip them one. Years ago the RUC would smack the head off you and take you home to face your Ma and Da. Didn't seem to do us any harm and taught us a lesson.
Posted by Michael | 27.11.09, 23:47 GMT
Honestly, who is surprised?
Really.
Posted by Realist | 27.11.09, 10:31 GMT
Steve, totally agree...
Who to blame??
The do gooders, human rights plebs. When will they realise that the easy touch approach to decipline just doesn't work, and they are part of this problem.
They MUST take some responsibility in these situations!!! Certainly lets not abuse, but firm and harsh punishments must be brought back.
Posted by Naomh | 26.11.09, 19:27 GMT
when i was growing up if we stood about street corners the police used an old rule that more than 3 people gathered was a crowd and took our names and moved us on. many a clout i got on back off head for giving a bit of verbal but it done me more good than harm,i learned a bit about respecting my elders. i know nowadays a cop or a parent for that matter cannot lift a finger for fear off being brought before the courts but what are the options???
Posted by steve | 26.11.09, 06:02 GMT
I don't get the care about waving a certain flag, then again I'm an American and we have people waving all sorts of flags here over all sorts of nonsense. Wave the tricolour or the Union Jack, couldn't bother me in the least, and I'm Catholic. I weep when I read this because the Belfast I've seen is a wonderful city that is safe, clean, historic and charming. I'm glad to say my dad's roots lie here, yet when I read about this I know why he is so ambivalent about the place, sadly.
Posted by S in DC | 26.11.09, 06:01 GMT
i was at the lights last nyt wif my friend n her wee boy it is all just 1 big joke now it is belfast wat more do people wat
Posted by sarah | 25.11.09, 22:26 GMT
"Message to Belfast people. Don't feel so bad." Mavis.
Its true guys. Belfast is nothing compared to what is happening in Australia.
If you get a chance google Gold Coast or Surfers Paridise Schoolies.
I can hardly believe it. I used to live in the Village off Donegal Road, and for those of you that know that area then you will understand that Belfast, compared to other places is a walk in the park. I have to agree with Mavis that the children know that there are ZERO consequences for their behaviour, therefore it just adds to the fun for them. Give them an inch and they will take a mile (Km) lol.
I was always proud of my country, NI because we had community workers (UDA/IRA) to patrol our streets and keep people safe.
Where were they last night? HAve they gone away, ya know!
Posted by Gary Hall | 25.11.09, 20:53 GMT
This has NOTHING to do with the "Trounbles of Northern Ireland.
This is the work of louts and youth gangs who are out of hand and have caused trouble for troubles sake!
The decent people and families of Belfast and Northern Ireland should demand that these violent disgusting behavioured youth's PARENTS and GUARDIANS are held accountable -for these youth are out of control!!
Posted by MC GRAVES | 25.11.09, 18:10 GMT
The result of teenage pregnancy's, poor parental upbringing, common lifestyles.
These people are just scum, whether you label them protestant scum, or catholic scum, or whatever scum, at the end of the day, they are no assest to society.
Why on earth would you even dream of going into Belfast last night wrapped in a Tricolour??? Bizarre, ignorant, common scum!!
The right thinking majority really need to get a grip and take a serious harsh stance to all this rubbish..
Posted by Naomh | 25.11.09, 17:17 GMT
Would the last sensible person to leave Belfast please switch off the lights
Posted by ron54 | 25.11.09, 17:04 GMT
Where are the parents? Are you guys serious? Do you reckon if a child is 'brought up' in such a hateful manner that the parents are actually going to give a stuff about where their children are? The parents are probably glad their kids are running about down the town wrecking the place as opposed to sitting in the house annoying the head off the parent/s.
Here's a bit of news, society left to it's own divises will get worse instead of better. We live in a world where it's 'do what you want, whatever makes you happy'. There is no control.
Posted by not convinced | 25.11.09, 16:34 GMT
Whats new here other than this time it was in town. Happens every single day in Belfast and other areas. This is the hidden illness in N Ireland that is still there and what do we do about it? Nothing unless it annoys bob the builder.
Posted by Joe | 25.11.09, 16:21 GMT
We could really learn from many successful businesses when it comes to problem solving. It's a process often called "root cause analysis". In order to fix a problem you have to first identify and then CORRECT the cause(s).
Many contributors to this story have identified a major cause of civil disorder in N.I. as due to the fact that it is still a heavily segregated community and this is especially so for children in their formative years. Our children are all born without a morcel of hatred in their hearts and then something terrible happens. Until you try to correct that "something" then these situations will continue.
As for the usual bunch who like to resort to name calling and blaming the PSNI. Look in a mirror and you will see a major component of the problems in N.I. today!
Posted by Edward | 25.11.09, 16:13 GMT
When i talk to people from other parts of the uk they cant believe the way the people here behave..and cant believe the antics at stormont. If you just take a second now... look at the people running our country and ask yourself.. is it any wonder kids are brought up to hate kids from "the other side"!
Posted by T | 25.11.09, 15:56 GMT
i was at the lights last night with a group of friends we were down to have a bit of fun and enjoy are selves. girls were walking about with tricolours around them is there need ? i am a teenager and we were followed by a group pf girls and boys that wanted to fight. we took no part in the fighting but we did stand up for ourselves even though there was alot more of them than us. we got followed right up to lower north street and that was the police got involved. in town we got surrounded by catholics shouting nationalist slogans at us while we stood behind the police officers. we did shout back at them but who didnt speak back last night ? the police should have never of let people into the town wrapped in flags. its lucky that no one was seriously injured.
Posted by anonomous | 25.11.09, 15:19 GMT
"Were you at the Christmas lights switch-on last night?" No I wasn't. Are you kidding me? But I'm pretty sure your photographer was.
Posted by Peter Pumpkinhead III | 25.11.09, 15:10 GMT
Message to Belfast people. Don't feel so bad. This happens most places. We have given up going to our wonderful Australia Day fireworks display due to drunken yobbos running wild. So on other side of world we have the same problem. Here they throw insults at different ethnic groups. Seems the don't care parents and social engineers who prosecute people for disciplining their children and teaching respect are doing a great job. To all the young people out there we know most of you are fine young citizens and we should not lump you all together. Don't have any answers except get real with prosecuting these yobbos and give the police back their authority.
Posted by Mavis | 25.11.09, 14:53 GMT
I don't think you need a Canadian like me to tell you that the conflict is political and tribal more than religious. Everyone likes to be part of a cause, and unfortunately this is the rotten one that people most identify with in N.I..
As per Dave's comment, sorry religion is not to blame for most violence in the last 200 years; the worst atrocities committed by man were all done by Atheistic godless regimes; the Khmer rouge in Cambodia, Nazi Germany, Stalin, and the Maoists.
Posted by Adam | 25.11.09, 14:38 GMT
Wow...frist where are the parents why are rules enforced over there why are this kids not arrested and fined and then there parents held respon. for not taking care of there children....its a disgrace...send a message the minors (under 18) involved enforce the law. Maybe if they are made to pay for the damages or at least there parents are ...next year may be better...
Posted by Mary | 25.11.09, 14:16 GMT
75 Comments