Poles Plead Guilty To Disorderly Charges

Three Polish men have pleaded guilty to charges of disorderly behaviour following football skirmishes in Belfast at the weekend.

Tomasz Bobrowicz, 30, from Suffolk, England; Przemyslaw Pawel Kusmierczyk, 28, from Liverpool; and Lukasz Szwajda, 22, from London appeared before a magistrate earlier today charged in relation to football violence.

All three were given suspended sentences.

A fourth man, also in court today, Tomasz Jakobik, 26, from University Avenue in Belfast, was charged with disorderly behaviour and also having a firework without a licence.

His case was adjourned until 27 April.

Tensions flared prior to, and following, the Northern Ireland versus Poland match on Saturday at Windsor Park.

Trouble started earlier in the day at a city centre bar, where nine people were arrested. Five were later released without charge.

Polish fans then clashed with police after the game, with a number of officers sustaining injuries.

It is believed those instigating the violence had travelled to the province for the game, and are involved in organised rioting, being described as "professional" hooligans.

PSNI Superintendent Chris Noble said: "We believe there was a hard core of Polish nationals who came to the game without tickets but with a very clear intent to cause trouble and disruption to genuine supporters and local residents."

A local councillor has question the regard given to the later kick-off time, which he said was bound to cause problems at the World Cup qualifier.

"The game should not have been played at a quarter past five on Saturday knowing the potential for trouble and the amount of alcohol that would be taken," Bob Stoker said.

"There was about 300 of them who arrived here without tickets, without accommodation, nothing and they were here just intent on causing trouble, people were aware of that.

"The police gave us assurances that steps would be taken to ensure these people wouldn't be allowed near us without tickets - that failed," added the Ulster Unionist councillor.

Around 60 Northern Ireland fans also attacked police at a roundabout at the bottom of Tates Avenue, close to the stadium, after the match.

There were also reports of up to a dozen homes being attacked in the city, which police believe may have been 'racially motivated'.

Described the attacks as "very disturbing", MLA Jimmy Spratt said: "Such attacks can never be justified, they are to be utterly condemned and I would appeal for calm."

Police said they are examining CCTV footage, which captured rioters pelting missiles and fireworks at officers - who were wearing protective gear - while on Tates Avenue.

Eleven officers were treated for injuries and the police appealed for calm.

(PR/BMcC)