Menu
30/10/2009
Proposals Target Holyland's Problems
New ideas have been debated on how to halt rowdy activity involving students living in a south Belfast residential area.
Anti-social problems have plagued the Holylands area off the Ormeau Road with both University of Ulster and Queen's University students at loggerheads with long-term residents.
A meeting about the trouble took place this week and resulted in more than 60 key stakeholders agreeing a new 'Action Plan' to improve overall quality of life in the area.
Since rioting broke out last Saint Patrick's Day, politicians and concerned local people have been seeking a way to tackle the issues.
The last traditional 'Paddy's Day' holiday turned into a disaster for residents when a pitched battle between police and mostly drunk students resulted in more than 12 people being arrested in the disturbances - which also saw at least one car damaged - and local tensions heightened.
At the time, Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Employment and Learning, said he was horrified by the students' behaviour, which showed "utter contempt for the community".
This week's new proposals were put forward as a way to solve the problems, including a revised Warden Scheme, tighter laws on drinking and wider use of mobile CCTV to identify culprits.
The meeting was hosted by Sir Reg and followed a previous meeting in May.
Mr Empey said this week: "The event was intended to assess the progress made following the last forum and outline what further short, medium and long term measures need to be addressed."
He added: "I am grateful to the Belfast City Council's Holyland Inter-Agency Group for agreeing to take on an oversight role in monitoring progress on these issues."
The event, which took place at Malone House, also involved speakers from the Police Service NI, the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade, the NI Housing Executive, the National Union of Students, Union of Students in Ireland and Belfast City Council.
See: Saint's Day Success, Despite Students' 'Riot'
(CL/BMcC)
Anti-social problems have plagued the Holylands area off the Ormeau Road with both University of Ulster and Queen's University students at loggerheads with long-term residents.
A meeting about the trouble took place this week and resulted in more than 60 key stakeholders agreeing a new 'Action Plan' to improve overall quality of life in the area.
Since rioting broke out last Saint Patrick's Day, politicians and concerned local people have been seeking a way to tackle the issues.
The last traditional 'Paddy's Day' holiday turned into a disaster for residents when a pitched battle between police and mostly drunk students resulted in more than 12 people being arrested in the disturbances - which also saw at least one car damaged - and local tensions heightened.
At the time, Sir Reg Empey, the Minister for Employment and Learning, said he was horrified by the students' behaviour, which showed "utter contempt for the community".
This week's new proposals were put forward as a way to solve the problems, including a revised Warden Scheme, tighter laws on drinking and wider use of mobile CCTV to identify culprits.
The meeting was hosted by Sir Reg and followed a previous meeting in May.
Mr Empey said this week: "The event was intended to assess the progress made following the last forum and outline what further short, medium and long term measures need to be addressed."
He added: "I am grateful to the Belfast City Council's Holyland Inter-Agency Group for agreeing to take on an oversight role in monitoring progress on these issues."
The event, which took place at Malone House, also involved speakers from the Police Service NI, the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade, the NI Housing Executive, the National Union of Students, Union of Students in Ireland and Belfast City Council.
See: Saint's Day Success, Despite Students' 'Riot'
(CL/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 August 2001
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
Northern Ireland pupils are in a class of their own
Northern Ireland students have outperformed their peers in England and Wales in both A-level and the new AS level exams. Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on Thursday August 16 show a record 48,000 grades have been issued to Northern Ireland students across all exam boards.
06 July 2012
Belfast Project Wins Green Award In Paris
An environmental initiative from Belfast has won top honours at a European awards ceremony. A joint project between Belfast City Council and Queen's Elms student accommodation, 'Green Week' was named Best Business Project in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) awards in Paris.
Belfast Project Wins Green Award In Paris
An environmental initiative from Belfast has won top honours at a European awards ceremony. A joint project between Belfast City Council and Queen's Elms student accommodation, 'Green Week' was named Best Business Project in the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) awards in Paris.
17 July 2019
No Meetings Took Place Between Police & UVF
A senior PSNI officer has dismissed claims of formal meetings with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) during a bonfire dispute in east Belfast. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd issued a statement in response to allegations that police engaged with a man known to be a UVF leader in the run up to the loyalist celebrations last week.
No Meetings Took Place Between Police & UVF
A senior PSNI officer has dismissed claims of formal meetings with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) during a bonfire dispute in east Belfast. Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd issued a statement in response to allegations that police engaged with a man known to be a UVF leader in the run up to the loyalist celebrations last week.
07 June 2002
College closes after masked men terrify students
A Further Education college in east Belfast has closed for the day after masked men terrorised students. The incident took place this morning in the Belfast Institute’s Tower Street Campus off the Newtownards Road when a group of people entered the building and issued sectarian threats to staff and students.
College closes after masked men terrify students
A Further Education college in east Belfast has closed for the day after masked men terrorised students. The incident took place this morning in the Belfast Institute’s Tower Street Campus off the Newtownards Road when a group of people entered the building and issued sectarian threats to staff and students.
20 August 2015
Rise In Number Of GCSE Students Achieving A*- C Grades
There has been a significant increase in the number of GCSE students achieving the A*- C grades. The proportion of entries awarded A* - C grades has risen by 0.7% this year to 78.7% Education Minister, John O'Dowd, congratulated the students and said they should be proud of all their hard work.
Rise In Number Of GCSE Students Achieving A*- C Grades
There has been a significant increase in the number of GCSE students achieving the A*- C grades. The proportion of entries awarded A* - C grades has risen by 0.7% this year to 78.7% Education Minister, John O'Dowd, congratulated the students and said they should be proud of all their hard work.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
