Social media backlash against shocking street party video

Dear reader,

There has been outcry on social media after police confirmed they were attacked while trying to break up a street party in the Holylands area of Belfast during the early hours of Tuesday.

In what appeared to be a blatant disregard for coronavirus restrictions, video footage showed a big crowd of young people singing and chanting in the street.

Police later confirmed that two men were arrested during the incident while bottles were thrown at officers. They were also subjected to verbal abuse.

The recent trend of falling coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland continued on Tuesday, with the Department of Health confirming that the positive number of newly-diagnosed Covid-19 cases had fallen to just 79 over the previous 24 hours. This is the lowest total in months.

However, another 11 Covid-19 related deaths were recorded in the same period.

The Stormont Executive has also confirmed the start of another initiative designed to ease the burden on businesses when lockdown restrictions return to Northern Ireland later this week.

A controlled ‘click and collect’ service for retail can operate from Friday for the duration of the two-week lockdown, the Executive agreed. First Minister Arlene Foster also revealed that churches here will remain open for private prayer during the lockdown.

Alistair Bushe

Editor

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