A youth, who cannot be named because of his legal age, is facing charges related to his participation in several days of unrest in Belfast, the Northern Ireland High Court has revealed. This information came to light as the boy, aged 15, was granted bail after he was accused of participating in violent disturbances on four separate occasions. Allegations suggest his mother not only condoned his actions but even recorded him and tried to shield his identity while he engaged in unruly behavior on the city’s streets.
Accusations were made that the boy was involved in July’s petrol bomb attacks against the police and later attacked a Muslim-run cafe during a bout of violence following an anti-immigration protest earlier this month. Fiona O’Kane, the Crown representative, informed that the mother of the boy is also facing charges for her alleged participation and instigation.
According to the barrister, “She was observed on video contributing and inspiring him by both recording him and supporting his efforts to conceal his identity by raising his hood”. The boy faces 12 charges in total – these include four cases of rioting, owning and tossing a petrol bomb, triggering an explosion with a firework, and possessing offensive weapons and paint with an intent to vandalise property. It is believed the teenage boy first attacked police lines during violent outbreaks on July 15th at Broadway Roundabout in South Belfast.
Racially driven street disturbances on August 3rd and 5th also reportedly identified the young boy. Allegedly, he was caught on social media footage hurling items at the windows and kicking the door of a Muslim-run cafe in the Sandy Row area. He was later viewed near the location brandishing a cylindrical object before the camera angle changed. When it returned to the boy, his hands were empty and the cafe was on fire with fireworks shooting off within it. The boy was reportedly included in a mob who threw bottles and stones at the police in their attempt to safeguard the Islamic Centre on University Road two days later.
The young individual involved in the interviews categorically refuted taking part in any of the tumultuous acts, asserting that his presence at Broadway Roundabout back in July was solely to observe the proceedings. After a local magistrate originally ruled in favour of bail for the adolescent suspect, law enforcement and the prosecution launched a High Court appeal. Imposing stringent restrictions, the judge prohibited him from availing himself of internet facilities, and specified only school attendance as a legitimate reason for his presence in Belfast.