26 arrests made over Larne mob violence

Pacemaker Press 31/3/2014
Forensics look at the Damage caused at a house on Ferris Avenue in Larne, after a group between 60 and 100 people, many of them masked, who we believe to be members of south-east Antrim UDA, attacked houses and and car in the Larne area Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker — Pacemaker Press 31/3/2014 Forensics look at the Damage caused at a house on Ferris Avenue in Larne, after a group between 60 and 100 people, many of them masked, who we believe to be members of south-east Antrim UDA, attacked houses and and car in the Larne area Pic Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker

The latest arrests took place in the Carrickfergus area last Thursday, when two men aged 32 and 34 were taken to Antrim Serious Crime Suite for questioning.

The pair were released unconditionally later that day.

To date, one man has appeared in court over the disorder. The accused has been charged with one count of rioting, two counts of attempted intimidation and three of criminal damage.

The violent scenes on Sunday, March 30 saw crowds of up to 100 people – some of them masked – wreck homes in the Ferris Avenue and Knockdhu Park areas of the town.

During the incident, residents and police also came under attack. A man was left hospitalised with serious injuries following a vicious assault.

A police officer also sustained an eye injury after the windscreen of his patrol car was smashed in during the violent clashes, which once again plunged an otherwise peaceful town back in to the dark ages of the Troubles.

Police blamed the trouble on the south east Antrim UDA.

Ths week, East Antrim Sinn Fein Assembly member Oliver McMullan told the Larne Times he intends to meet with Chief Constable Matt Baggott later this week to discuss the issue.