Latest news with #FinolaDornan
BreakingNews.ie
11-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Two officers injured responding to separate fights in Belfast
Two police officers were injured while intervening in two altercations in Belfast on Saturday. A superintendent said it was 'the grim reality of the shameful behaviour' police risk being confronted with when responding to calls. Advertisement Officers attended a report of an altercation on Ardoyne Avenue just before 7.35pm, where police said a 34-year-old man appeared 'aggressive'. An officer suffered a fractured wrist, the PSNI said. Another officer was injured in a separate altercation on University Street area an hour later, in what police are investigating as 'racially-motivated hate crimes'. 'It was reported that a man had sustained facial injuries when punched by another man, and a woman who had tried to step in to help had been punched and pushed to the ground,' Area Superintendent Finola Dornan said. Advertisement 'Officers arrived at the scene and found the aggressive suspect in the street, shouting and swearing at a member of the public. 'When officers detained the man, aged 34, he became physically violent and kicked an officer to the arm. 'The man was arrested on suspicion of assault on police, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, disorderly behaviour, two counts of common assault and criminal damage. 'He remains in custody at this time while inquiries continue. Advertisement 'The officer was removed from duty to attend hospital, where it was established that he had sustained a fractured wrist.' Superintendent Dornan said: 'An hour later, in south Belfast, officers attended another reported ongoing fight between a number of men in the University Street area. 'It was reported that one of the men had been left with a minor head injury. 'Two of the men involved are then alleged to have begun to verbally abuse and assault two bystanders, actions which are being treated as racially-motivated hate crimes. Advertisement 'On arrival, a man aged 25 was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. 'The second suspect, aged 26, was confrontational before making off. 'When the officer caught up with him after a short foot chase, he bit the officer on the forearm, breaking the skin and causing an injury which required hospital treatment. The wound will leave permanent scarring. 'He was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, common assault, resisting police and disorderly behaviour. Advertisement 'Both men remain in custody at this time and our investigation is ongoing.' Superintendent Dornan said that officers should not be assaulted 'simply for doing their job'. 'These incidents highlight the grim reality of the shameful behaviour which we run the risk of being confronted with every time we attend a call. 'I commend the courage and professionalism of the injured officers. Their welfare is being supported and they are receiving the appropriate care. 'These local officers put themselves in harm's way to protect others. We are extremely proud of the way they, and all our officers, serve the public each and every day.'
BBC News
02-03-2025
- BBC News
South Belfast: Family 'scared' after racist attack on new home
A woman and her daughter have been left badly shaken after the home they were due to move into in south Belfast was attacked and daubed in racist happened at a block of flats on Roden Street off the Donegall Road on Thursday evening. The family, who came to Northern Ireland in the past few years, were due to move into the property this weekend before their social housing provider contacted them to say it was not Ahmed, from the Horn of Africa People's Aid Northern Ireland (HAPANI) said the family is "devastated". The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they received a report on Friday of racially-motivated criminal added that an investigation is ongoing to ensure "those responsible are held to account for their actions". The family, who are now back in their previous accommodation, are being supported by Ahmed, the group's chairperson, says the family now feel very vulnerable."They're really worried. They're scared, and to be honest, it's not something they were expecting," he said."They were hoping to settle down and be part of the community and now they're devastated.""I'm worried about their mental health, they don't speak any English at all, so the language barrier is a big problem as well. I think they're in a really bad place," he added. 'No place' for hate crimes In recent years, there have been a number of racist attacks in south Belfast. PSNI Supt Finola Dornan described the incident as "completely unacceptable", adding that it did not "reflect the local community and its people". "The heartbreaking reality behind this headline is a young mother and her child who were looking forward to moving into a new home, a place where they should have felt both safe and welcome," she said."They have understandably been left badly shaken and distressed."Supt Dornan emphasised that "hate crime has no place in our society"."We will be proactive in our approach to ensure justice for victims," she said. 'Disgusting behaviour' Sinn Féin MLA for south Belfast, Deirdre Hargey described the graffiti as "sickening". "The majority of people in south Belfast stand squarely against racism and the disgusting behaviours that come with it," she said. "The racist thugs behind this attack must be brought to justice, and I would encourage anyone with information to bring it to the PSNI." Suleiman Abdulahi, the founder of HAPANI, believes the housing strategy in Northern Ireland needs to change so there is enough to cater for all those who need affordable housing."If there was no scarcity of resources or housing in Northern Ireland then we could accommodate everyone and those concerns can be stopped," he said. "But whenever there is not enough houses and there's this housing crisis then the scapegoat is vulnerable families and it's happened multiple time."
