Young revellers herded out of city park
Police swamp student area to enforce Covid rules on St Patrick’s Day,
YOUNG people have been warned that they are not above the law after the PSNI was forced to close a public park in south Belfast due to hundreds of St Patrick’s Day revellers.
Crowds flouted Covid restrictions early yesterday evening to hold St Patrick’s Day parties in Botanic Gardens.
Prior to the arrival of the PSNI, there had been a party atmosphere with groups drinking, playing music and playing ball games.
The public park is located close to the Holyland area where many university students reside.
Last night there was a heavy police presence in the area, as celebrations remained largely behind doors, although a number of student households took to their own gardens to drink.
Police officers were spotted engaging with young people, urging them to respect the rules.
Hundreds of extra police officers were on duty across Northern Ireland, particularly at beauty spots, to provide a “robust” response to St Patrick’s Day rule breakers.
Earlier, officers formed a line and walked across Botanic Gardens, funnelling those gathered towards the exit after an announcement was made that the park was being closed to ensure adherence to coronavirus regulations.
The traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations, including a large parade in Belfast city centre, had been cancelled across the island of Ireland due to the pandemic.
There are currently tight restrictions on public gatherings under Covid-19 regulations.
South Belfast Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw, who also sits on the Stormont health committee, said the young people should show more consideration to the wider community.
“The police have a job to do, and to ensure that, when young people are breaking Covid rules, they go in to disperse the crowds,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
Ms Bradshaw said that while she could understand why, with the spring weather, it was attractive for people to gather at the park, students should act responsibly amid growing concerns of the Holyland residents.
On the eve of St Patrick’s Day there were reports of a street fight in the area, as well as a number of house parties.
The MLA told the Belfast Telegraph: “The biggest concern from residents for the last 12 months has always been the high risk for community transmission.
“They’re sharing the same shops and takeaways. So the last thing residents want is people continually circulating and raising the potential for increasing the community transmission of the virus.”
She added: “A lot of older people have lived in the Holyland for decades. I know of a woman in her early 90s who doesn’t have a car and has to use local shops.
“People forget that there still are long-term residents there who may have underlying health conditions or a degree of frailty and we have to protect them as much as anyone else.”
She emphasised that in the run-up to March 17, Queen’s University and Ulster University had been clear in warning students that they could face penalties for breaking the restrictions.
“Young people are going to do what young people do but at the same time, they’re not above the law when it comes to gatherings,” insisted Ms Bradshaw.
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said officers took “operational action” in response to the scenes at Botanic.
He had previously warned that those caught breaking the rules against gathering in groups could expect to face stiff fines.
And he said people who had been fined before risked even tougher penalties.
Earlier, Holyland Residents’ Network chairperson Brid Ruddy said the early St Patrick’s Day signs were auspicious.
“It’s good see the students seem to be taking this seriously,” she told the Belfast Telegraph.
“It’s early days though. There’s still time and the weather is great, which has been a bad sign in years gone by. There were several house parties here last night... so let’s wait and see what happens later. Police are turning away cars with people who don’t live in the area so that’s probably why we’re not seeing too many out in the street.”
Residents in Belfast’s Holyland area have voiced their anger after it emerged that the city council requested powers from Stormont to deal with anti-social behaviour in the area six months ago — but was blocked.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed on Tuesday that the council wanted powers to designate specific areas for tightened restrictions, such as around gatherings and street drinking.
These proposals were turned down, however, with the Department for Communities (DFC) stressing any legislative powers “would be for the longer term”.
First Minister Arlene Foster had warned that St Patrick’s Day celebrations must be different this year amid the ongoing pandemic. “We are sending out a very strong message, that people should of course mark St Patrick’s Day but they should do it in a way that doesn’t cause problems later on in the month,” she said.
“So they should do it with their family, inside their own bubble and really to give thought to those people who haven’t been able to access care in our hospitals because they have had to deal with the pandemic.”
Meanwhile, Mr Todd said a number of people had been turned away from beauty spots but that the majority had heeded the public health messages.
‘The biggest concern for residents is the risk of community transmission’