Police came under fire while escorting Cliftonville fans away from Windsor Park
Three people have been arrested following disorder after the Irish Cup final in Belfast that saw eight police officers injured.
Trouble flared following the clash between Cliftonville FC and Dungannon Swifts when fans of the north Belfast side were escorted by police past the nearby loyalist Village area after the final whistle at Windsor Park on Saturday afternoon.
It is believed a number of youths from the Falls Road side of the Broadway interface joined some Cliftonville fans in throwing objects including bottles and fireworks at police.
Other objects including traffic cones were set on fire as the disorder continued
In a statement on Sunday, PSNI Belfast City Chief Inspector Mark Conway said that while the majority of fans attending the game behaved in a peaceful manner, “a small minority chose to engage in criminal activity, resulting in public disorder in the vicinity of Broadway Roundabout at approximately 5.30pm”.
“Items were thrown at police and at least eight officers were injured during the course of the policing operation, although all remained on duty,” he said.
“Police remained in the area to monitor the situation and prevent any further escalation.”
Two of the arrests were for suspected disorderly behaviour, while a juvenile was arrested on suspicion of possessing a flare.
Five cautions were also issued for possession of fireworks, and Inspector Conway said these will be followed up with reports to the Public Prosecution Service.
“The vast majority of fans were there to enjoy the match, however we will not tolerate disruption, disorder or criminal behaviour of any kind,” he added.
As always we will continue to work with football clubs to address any criminal activity linked to people attending matches and ensure that supporters are kept safe.”
Ahead of the match, Cliftonville FC said they had been advised that police would take “firm and robust action” against anti-social behaviour, and urged parents and guardians to ensure younger fans “do not become involved in inappropriate or unlawful activity”.
Cliftonville FC has been approached for comment following Saturday’s disorder.
Footage has also emerged appearing to show Cliftonville fans singing a song referencing the IRA as they pass police at the Village area on Saturday.
by WrongdoerGold1683
9 comments
Cliftonville fans and songs about the IRA. Well I’ll be a monkeys uncle.
By the sounds of it the vast majority of Cliftonville fans behaved like adults and went the fuck home like adults.
Sounds like a bunch of wee shites with no class did what they do beat- tried to cause shit.
Glad they got arrested
Ugh. Hopefully the ifa are handing out bans or other punishments to wayward fans and troublemakers who use football as a guise to create disorder.
Also I didn’t mean to whatabout – people there said there were some wee shitheads being shits – NOT from the Dungannon team
Hopefully ‘Yousens’ girl got lifted as well for having an infuriating voice.
Cliftonville scored, and a small bunch of cretins in the middle of the East stand stood up and started jeering and fist pumping like they wanted a fight.
They were surrounded by families, so all they got was removed by security.
Just found the whole thing a bit pathetic, as the Swifts fans were just a nice bunch of folks enjoying the day.
I think all reasonable people will agree that the PSNI should be using the same degree of force against the Loyalist terrorist gangs which control half of Northern Ireland.
Another day in Irish Nationalism
Always worth getting an FOI to find out what the killer bees are up to
[Those Kingsnorth police injuries in full: six insect bites and a toothache](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/dec/15/kingsnorth-climate-change-environment-police)
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