Portstewart was "a mini Holylands"

Unionist councillors condemned the scenes that marred the celebrations in the borough, including a parade in Kilrea.

DUP MLA Adrian McQuillan (pictured) said he was contacted by residents who described the behaviour in the Kilrea as ‘disgraceful’.

“I understand that there were a number of people arrested and the Police Tactical Support Group had to be deployed as fights occured after the parade had passed,” said Mr McQuillan.

“The police really need to take control of these situations. There was illegal drinking on the streets and illegal traders were trading openly in the town.

“Enough is enough, I believe that the police have to be more impartial. They wouldn’t allow people to drink on the streets at a Protestant band parade, so why was it allowed on St Patrick’s Day?”

Meanwhile UUP MLA David McClarty said he had been contacted by a number of people, on both sides of the community, disgusted at the antics of a large number of young people in Portstewart.

He said: “Portstewart has long been famed as a family resort, where everyone is welcome regardless of class or creed.

“I was dismayed to receive reports about the behaviour of a significant number of people throughout St Patrick’s Day - this ranged from drunkenness, fighting and urinating in people’s gardens.

“The scenes were described to me as “a mini-Holylands” with reference to the disgraceful scenes which were witnessed in Belfast last year. Indeed many of the people involved in Portstewart are also believed to be students.

“This does nothing to promote St Patrick’s Day as a celebration for people of all faiths and all ages, and I will be contacting the Police to ensure that they take a firm and proactive approach in future to ensure there is no repetition of this behaviour ever again.”

East Londondery MP, Gregory Campbell, said: “A taxi driver was the victim of a vicious sectarian attack in the Heights area of Coleraine in the early hours of 18 March after a fare from Portstewart. This must be condemned by everyone.

“My office also received a number of complaints regarding trouble which occurred in the evening in Kilrea following a St Patrick’s Day nationalist parade in the town.

“The Police need to ensure appropriate measures are taken to ensure that anyone involved in violent behaviour is brought before the Courts.”

DUP councillor Sam Cole added: “ The ethos and message of St. Patrick’s inclusive Christian legacy was clearly lost by many attending the AOH demonstration in Kilrea.

“As the unionist population of Kilrea retreated to their bunkers police in full riot gear were called on to quell the street fighting between drunken revellers.

“In what was supposed to be an inclusive day of Christian celebration, Irish tricolours and Marxist Starry Plough flags associated with a Republican terrorist organisation were mounted on lampposts throughout the mixed town, and this only damaged good community relations in Kilrea.”

Kilrea SDLP MLA, John Dallat, who attended the parade, said: I saw only one person with alcohol who was not attached to an AOH band. When the main parade dispersed about 4.00 pm everyone was delighted that all had gone off with no trouble of any kind and in relation to this I have sent my congratulations to the AOH who are deserving of the highest praise for the music which they had brought to the town after an absence of 17 years.

“People are disappointed and indeed angry that there was any trouble later in the day which some will want to attach to the parade and that is entirely wrong, unjustified and unfair.”