By Conor Sharkey
A STRABANE student caught up in the violence that engulfed the Holyland area of Belfast on St Patrick's night has described the PSNI response as "excessive".
The 20-year-old, who did not want to be named, is one of about 50 Strabane students who reside in the Holyland while studying at nearby Queens University.
No Strabane students were arrested following the trouble, although it is understood a number were spoken to by police at the scene. Two Omagh men were, yesterday, charged in connection with the disturbances.
Up to 400 people spilled on to the streets when rioting broke out at Carmel Street early on Tuesday. So far, almost 20 people have been arrested after police were pelted with bottles, stones and bricks. At least one car was vandalised during the unrest.
Trouble has flared in the Holyland during previous St Patrick's Day celebrations, however residents have described Tuesday's violence as 'warzone-like'.
While the police have defended their tactics, the Strabane student said there appeared to be an over-reaction on the part of the PSNI.
Speaking yesterday he said, "I was in the house and a few people said there was a bit of trouble on Carmel Street. I paid no attention until a friend contacted me to say she couldn't get over because the area was blocked off. I went out and there was just lines of police everywhere. I was surprised because they were blocking you off from nothing. There was very little happening but there was this huge police presence. It definitely looked excessive to me," he explained.
Despite the accusation of heavy handedness, the Strabane student said those involved in the rioting were not without blame.
"The police were put in a bad position. If they turned up, there was going to be trouble and if they didn't, residents would have said the police did nothing.
"That many arrests for what was basically name calling and chanting seems a bit much but then again, the whole thing should never have went so far. There's always trouble of some kind in the Holyland but there shouldn't have been the behaviour we saw on St Patrick's night.
"I'm sure there will be expulsions after this because you can't come to college and go on like that and expect to get away with it. I would say there will be a few serious hangovers because it was a serious mess," he said.
Dismissing claims that police were over-zealous in their response to student antics, Superintendent Chris Noble, District Commander for South and East Belfast said, "To anybody who alleges disproportionate police action: I would urge you to go online and watch your local news broadcasts."
He added, "I think the images will speak for themselves. They will see the provocation and disorderly behaviour that was coming from the students. The PSNI are the most professional policing service when it comes to policing public order situations. That said, I would encourage anybody who has a complaint about police behaviour to contact the Police Ombudsman as soon as possible and put their complaint down in writing", he said.
"We are always happy as an organisation to learn from issues if there is anything to be learnt. But I have a real pride and a real confidence in my officers and how they handled the situation yesterday", he concluded.
