Latest news with #MatthewBrogan
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Police vow to pursue rioters as man is jailed over Belfast disorder
Police have said they will continue to pursue those involved in disorder in Belfast last summer, after a man was jailed for rioting. Matthew Brogan, 29, from Drumbeg South in Craigavon, was sentenced to a total of 40 months, 20 of which will be spent on licence after his release, at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday. Advertisement Police said the offences occurred during sustained disorder in Belfast on August 3rd, 2024, after an anti-immigration rally. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said an illegal parade had followed the rally. Assistant Chief Constable Davy Beck said police will continue to pursue those involved in rioting (Mark Marlow/PA) He added: 'A short time later, prolonged public disorder broke out which saw businesses and vehicles burnt and police officers attacked. 'In the following days, unrest and attacks on the homes and businesses of those from ethnic minority backgrounds continued. Advertisement 'Since then, we have had a dedicated public order inquiry team in place, working tirelessly to ensure that all those involved in this shameful violence were brought before our courts to face the consequences of their actions.' Mr Beck added: 'From around 8pm that Saturday, police evidence-gathering teams observed a man in a light-blue hooded top in the Sandy Row area. 'He was filmed engaging with masked individuals and throwing both masonry and bottles at police. 'At around 9.40pm the same man, now wearing a yellow T-shirt, was seen in our footage opening a gate for a group of people who had broken into a car near to a community centre. Advertisement 'The car was moved and set alight in Wellwood Street. 'Subsequently, we released a number of still images from our recorded footage to the public, appealing for their help in identifying those suspected to be involved in the disorder. 'Community information led to Matthew Brogan being identified as the man in the distinctive yellow T-shirt.' The senior officer said 14 people have now been sentenced in relation to last year's violence, but Brogan is the first sentenced for the offence of riot. Advertisement He added: 'Twenty-three cases are still going through our courts, and our wider investigation continues. 'The Police Service of Northern Ireland will ensure that anyone who chooses to take part in this type of criminality is brought to justice, just as Brogan has been today. 'We continue to appeal to anyone who has been the victim of, or has any information on, any crime to contact police on 101, or 999 in an emergency. We can assure you that we will always act on concerns and information we receive.'
BBC News
11 hours ago
- BBC News
Belfast disorder: Man who took part in unrest 'out of boredom' sentenced
A man who took part in racially motivated disorder in Belfast last August "out of boredom" has been sentenced for 40 Brogan, from Drumbeg South in Craigavon, received a 20-month prison sentence, and once released will spend an additional 20 months on and police officers were attacked after an anti-immigration rally made its way from Belfast city centre to the Islamic Centre in the south of the city on 3 August later broke out in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row area, during which the 29-year-old threw masonry at police and helped to move a car which was later set on fire. Belfast Crown Court heard on Thursday some areas of the UK experienced violence and disorder with racial undertones."There were a number of days in August that Belfast bore the brunt and experienced mass civil unrest," Judge Patrick Lynch said. Car set on fire During the disorder, Brogan was present in the area for several hours and later engaged with masked men, appearing to open a gate and shake a car as it was moved to Wellwood Street at about 21:37 BST before it was set was also seen throwing objects at was identified five days later by a member of the public after police released images of people believed to be involved in the was later arrested at a Belfast hostel and a yellow shirt, matching the one he wore during the violence, was a police interview, Brogan said he was only in the area for three hours and denied he was involved, adding that he was only there to asked about the car and gate, he said he was making sure it didn't hit the gate and damage later admitted he "riotously assembled together with others". Joined 'out of boredom' Defence barrister, Cameron Faulkner, said Brogan accepted his presence and that he threw masonry at he added that he was not an organiser or planner, but had joined in "out of boredom".The court heard by the time Brogan became involved "in the movement of the crowd", disorder had already broken out and no-one was Faulkner also outlined his client's clear criminal the 40-month sentence, the judge said while there was no evidence that Brogan was an organiser or planner, he was nonetheless "a fulsome member of the rioting crowd".He added that the unrest on 3 August was aggravated by "racial hostility" and directed towards immigrants "most of whom actually provide a working and valuable contribution to our society"."The defendant knew he was involving himself in a racist protest, there is no doubt about that - and still participated for a lengthy period of time."
