Disorder and Violence Mar Irish Cup Semi-Final: Arrests Made, Child Injured, and Chants of 'Up the Ra
A child was injured by a bottle and a teenager was arrested following disturbances before the Irish Cup semi-final match. The game between Dungannon Swifts and Cliftonville ended in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, but the event was marred by incidents of violence, including the throwing of fireworks, flares, and bottles. Some Cliftonville fans also chanted 'Up the Ra' during the match, causing further tension. The Parades Commission had imposed restrictions on a pre-game march involving Cliftonville supporters, but disorder still occurred. The PSNI condemned the violence and confirmed that a child had been hit by a bottle during the disturbances.
Superintendent Finola Dornan of the South Belfast District Command expressed disappointment at the behavior of some fans, noting that while most attendees were peaceful, a minority engaged in disorderly conduct and provocative actions. Despite warnings against the use of pyrotechnics and fireworks, these items were heavily used during the approved pre-game procession. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of various offenses, including riotous behavior, possession of fireworks/flares at a regulated match, and attempted criminal damage. Two other individuals were also reported for offenses related to the use of flares. The police emphasized their commitment to maintaining safety and order at football matches and stated that they would investigate potential breaches of the Parades Commission Determinations.
The majority of fans came to enjoy the match, but the unacceptable behavior of a small group marred the event. The police reiterated their zero-tolerance policy towards disorder and criminal behavior, emphasizing their collaboration with football clubs to address inappropriate conduct by attendees. An evidence-gathering operation will be conducted to investigate the incidents that occurred before and after the match. The aim is to ensure the safety of the local community and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.