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Rioting flares in fair town

Drunken mob attacks police in Ballycastle

By Jonathan McCambridge, Crime Correspondent
jmccambridge@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

30 August 2004

Violence marred the start of the world-famous Oul' Lammas Fair in Ballycastle today after a drunken mob of 50 people attacked police with bottles.

The trouble erupted with officers coming under attack just hours before upwards of 150,000 people were due to descend on the streets for one of Ireland's oldest and most popular fairs.

A local representative today said such incidents were "ruining Ballycastle's image" and said she hoped people would not be put off visiting the Co Antrim resort.

The trouble began after police responded to reports of disturbances in the North Street area of the town shortly before 2am today.

While they were there a second disturbance arose with a mob of up to 50 people involved in fighting. When police attempted to intervene they were attacked with bottles and missiles.

Two men have been arrested and are helping police with their inquiries.

The violence flared just after police had urged people visiting the two-day fair to have a "crime free" day.

SDLP councillor, Catherine McCambridge, said there had been an increase in incidents in the town and blamed alcohol for last night's violence.

She said: "It is bitterly disappointing that there are people out there who do not know how to behave themselves after they have had a drink.

"Police resources in the town are already stretched to the limit in what is the busiest weekend of the year for them and they do not need this extra pressure.

"This sort of thing is destroying Ballycastle's image as a family friendly resort for people to visit.

"I just hope that people hearing about this are not put off coming to the Lammas Fair."

Earlier this summer, police in Ballycastle warned that resources in the town were being stretched to the limit due to an increase in anti-social activities blamed on friction between locals and teens visiting from Belfast.

However, it was not anticipated that the trouble would stop the hordes from visiting the seaside resort on Bank Holiday Monday for the start of the 418th year of the annual fair.

Horse traders, mediums, street entertainers, fun fairs, pony rides, circus performers and traders will all take to the streets with the ever-popular dulse and Yellow Man on sale.

Locals today said early trading had been slow following a heavy morning rain but bumper crowds were expected later in the day.



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