A child was struck by a bottle and at least nine police officers were injured during disorder before the match at Windsor Park
A general view of Windsor Park(Image: INPHO/Presseye/William Cherry)
An MLA in South Belfast has called for a “managed response” to avoid a repeat of disorder before a football match in the city last week.
A child was struck by a bottle and at least nine police officers were injured during disorder before the Irish Cup semi-final football match on Friday, April 3.
A fan parade of around 200 supporters, which was approved by the Parades Commission, resulted in fireworks, flares, and bottles being thrown ahead of the match between Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts at The National Stadium in Windsor Park.
READ MORE: Teen charged to court after Belfast football match disorderREAD MORE: Irish Cup semi-final disorder sees child struck by bottle and nine police officers injured
A 19-year-old man has been charged with riotous behaviour, doing a provocative act, possession of fireworks/flares at a regulated match, indecent behaviour and attempted criminal damage. He is due to appear before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Friday, May 1.
Speaking on BBC Radio Ulster on Monday, DUP MLA, Edwin Poots, said residents “may have to block the road” next time. He said local residents were “hugely angry” but added it was “not something new” as during last year’s final, also between Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts, disorder broke out in the area.
Mr Poots said: “We have been engaging with the police over the past two years. The last time Cliftonville came to Windsor Park there were complaints the police were too heavy handed and that they were too restrictive to the Cliftonville football supporters.”
He said that for “some bizarre reason” the policing effort was reduced on Friday.
“On this occasion, they let off fireworks, they threw bottles, they threw eggs, they chanted IRA slogans and sang sectarian songs,” he continued.
“I’ll make it very clear: the local community are not going to accept it anymore. If that involves them having to come out and sit on the road in large numbers and ensure that these people will not be able to access Windsor Park, that’s what’s going to happen.”
Alliance MLA, Paula Bradshaw, said the provocative behaviour should be met with a managed plan to ensure there is no repeat. The South Belfast MLA has said there is “no justification” for residents taking matters into their own hands.
She added: “Provocative comments are no way to respond to provocative behaviour. What is required after a minority of fans let themselves and the game down on Friday night is a managed response to ensure there is no repeat.
“People living locally have every right to be disgusted by anyone acting or chanting provocatively. However, there is no justification for taking matters into their own hands. Public authorities must have a comprehensive plan to address this situation and provide assurance that any attacks on public servants or sectarian chanting and provocative behaviour will be robustly dealt with.
“I understand the local frustrations regarding what appears to have been an inadequate response to the situation on Friday. However, I am also concerned about the nine police officers who were injured during the incident. No public servant deserves to be assaulted or abused.
“I will work with the authorities to ensure such behaviour is prevented from occurring again in the area, but I will also reinforce that it is for the police and other authorities to deliver this assurance.”
Speaking on Saturday, PSNI South Belfast district commander Superintendent Finola Dornan said during the procession “provocative conduct” and “heavy use of pyrotechnics and fireworks” was observed.
“While the majority of football fans attending Friday evening’s match behaved in a peaceful manner, a number of people chose to engage in disorderly behaviour and provocative conduct,” she said.
“During an approved public procession ahead of the match, which involved approximately 250 people, our officers witnessed provocative conduct and the heavy use of pyrotechnics and fireworks – despite various warnings being issued against this.”
She said there appeared to be a number of potential breaches of the Parades Commission determinations in relation to the procession which will be investigated.
She added: “The vast majority of fans were there to enjoy the match, however there was completely unacceptable behaviour from a proportion of fans both before and after the match, at what should have been an enjoyable and safe event for all attending.
“Police will not tolerate disorder or criminal behaviour of any kind and, as always, we will continue to work with football clubs to address any inappropriate behaviour linked to people attending matches and ensure that the local community is kept safe.
“We will therefore be conducting a thorough evidence-gathering operation in the wake of last night’s occurrences.”
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