Paramilitary link to village violence is claimed

PARAMILITARY thugs are being blamed for an upsurge in anti-social behaviour in Mid-Antrim, which allegedly spilled over into a violent street brawl in Cullybackey at the weekend.

Unionist politicians have reacted with outrage after more than 20 people were involved in the fight outside a bar in the early hours of Sunday morning.

It is believed that a number of loyalist paramilitaries were targeted in the brawl.

In July a number of people were seriously injured after trouble flared at an Eleventh night bonfre in Tobar Park in Cullybackey.

TUV councillor Sam Gaston said he had “no doubts” that “paramilitary elements” were involved in the recent cycle of violence.

“People may not thank me for saying it, but there are individuals linked to paramilitary groups who are fexing their muscles around the village,” he said.

“This situation has been simmering for a while, and there is a real fear in Cullybackey now that there will be more fighting and attacks.

“There is a policing partnership meeting this week and I will be making sure that this situation is at the top of the agenda before this village is dragged down by these people. I have been contacted by ordinary people from Cullybackey, they are frightened. We need to have some reassurances from the police that they are in control of this problem.”

North Antrim MLA Mervyn Storey said he was “shocked and saddened” by the weekend violence.

“Whoever is behind this fight, whether it was organised or not, it cannot be tolerated in a village like Cullybackey,” he said.

A spokesperson for Vortex nightclub in Cullybackey, near where the trouble occurred, said: “Vortex nightclub or members of the public who had been enjoying themselves at the nightclub were not responsible for the incident that took place on Saturday November 20. Anything that did happen, we were not aware of it and it was in no way connected to the nightclub. We wish to make no further comment.”

Police appeal after night of violence: See page 4