Police deny Cllr. McShane claims on CCTV footage

He made the allegations at the monthly meeting of Moyle Council as reaction to the situation in The Diamond in the early hours of the first day of this year's Lammas Fair continued to ignite public debate.

A PSNI spokesman told the Times: "Police have not sought any CCTV from premises over the incidents."

A number of people were arrested during the trouble on the night but Cllr McShane claimed the situation was handled badly by the police.

The police are already on record as saying their response on the evening was proportionate as events unfolded.

Cllr McShane told the Moyle Council meeting he didn't wish to be alarmist and wanted to make mention of the "supposed trouble" and how it was portrayed in the media.

He claimed he was aware of an approach being made to premises who were asked for CCTV footage to be "scrapped" because "it was not shining a kind light on some of those involved."

He added: "If they are taking it away and not using it, it is a terrible indictment".

The councillor made the remarks when councillors were asked to spend more than 4,000 of ratepayers money as part of the development of Ballycastle's public CCTV system.

Cllr McShane said if footage was being removed out of premises he didn't see why the Council should spend money on CCTV.

Cllr McShane said that as an Irish Republican he had always found it difficult to support police but he does.

However, he criticised the bringing in of "pumped up" PSNI officers from outside Ballycastle to police a festival.

Vice-Chair of Moyle Council, SDLP councillor Madeline Black, said no matter what happened at The Diamond at start of the Lammas Fair it is important to have CCTV in the town.

All councillors present supported the money being given to the CCTV system but Cllr McShane was joined by Independent representative Seamus Blaney in voting against.

Cllr Blaney said he "couldn't believe" the stories he was being told about the events in The Diamond.

He said there was "a bit of trouble" but said it was blown out of all proportion and he said the police "over-reacted to something that was not really there".

He claimed in one incident two people left premises and a "snatch squad came and took them".