Student street protests turn to violence

Street protests turned to violence last night after hundreds of students marched through the Holyland area of south Belfast in protest at a BBC programme which highlighted tensions between residents and some students.

It is claimed that local resident homes were targeted and attacked following the broadcast of the BBC NI Spotlight investigation which showed scenes of drunken students urinating in doorways and playing hurley in the early hours of the morning during recent weeks.

Students claimed they were being portrayed in the wrong light and so took to the streets in protest last night however matters got out of hand when police had to be called following reports that bottles had been broken and abuse was being hurled at residents.

Bronagh Hinds of the Rugby Residents Group said the students were “chucking bottles and things at us and they were running around talking about being discriminated against”, as well as claiming that the Holyland was their area.

The Vice president of Queen's Students Union, Kevin Magourty, who went out to disperse the crowd, said a minority of students were involved in the trouble and described the events as “absolutely regrettable”.

While there was a police presence at the protest officers said there were no reports of any injuries or damage to property, and that no arrests were made.

(MB)