St Patrick’s Day Foray

St Patrick’s day celebrations were tainted again this year with a flurry of violent attacks and antisocial behavior.

Two people were arrested after clashes in Belfast city centre on Monday night. A teenager was taken to hospital suffering from facial injuries following the attack by up to 30 people armed with Hurley sticks in Donegal street.

A 16 year-old boy and a 25 year-old man were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of offensive weapons.

The injured youth's wounds are not thought to be life-threatening.

In an incident in Newry, a teenager suffered broken hands after being attacked by a gang of youths reportedly wielding samurai style swords and knives.

The teenager was crossing a footbridge near the Buttercrane shopping centre on Monday at around 8.00pm when he was set upon by six youths. Police believe the attack was unprovoked.

In Belfast, a car was hijacked and taken from the Mays Meadow area near Central Station with a 19 month-old baby boy still inside. The hijacking took place at around 9.00pm following a disturbance by local youths in the area.

The car was later found in the Short Strand part of the city with the child alive and well inside.

(DW)