Menu
08/07/2003
Three Belfast men receive jail sentences in France
Three Belfast men have been sentenced to six months in jail by a French judge following an incident outside a nightclub in Lille.
The men were members of a group who had travelled to France to take part in the Battle of the Somme commemorations. They became involved in an altercation outside a nightclub, during which several of the Northern Ireland men sustained injuries requiring hospital attention.
Five men appeared before the court in Lille, where they claimed they had been defending themselves from right-wing nationalists. However, the judge awarded jail sentences of six months to three of the men. The other two men were freed.
Belfast city councillor and member of the PUP, Billy Hutchinson, who had been present in France during the commemorations, said that the men had been "in the wrong place, at the wrong time".
He added: "They were accused of being English football hooligans, and because of the anti-British and anti-American feelings over the war in Iraq, they found themselves in a situation not of their making."
The three men are set to appeal against their sentences.
(CL)
The men were members of a group who had travelled to France to take part in the Battle of the Somme commemorations. They became involved in an altercation outside a nightclub, during which several of the Northern Ireland men sustained injuries requiring hospital attention.
Five men appeared before the court in Lille, where they claimed they had been defending themselves from right-wing nationalists. However, the judge awarded jail sentences of six months to three of the men. The other two men were freed.
Belfast city councillor and member of the PUP, Billy Hutchinson, who had been present in France during the commemorations, said that the men had been "in the wrong place, at the wrong time".
He added: "They were accused of being English football hooligans, and because of the anti-British and anti-American feelings over the war in Iraq, they found themselves in a situation not of their making."
The three men are set to appeal against their sentences.
(CL)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 October 2016
Two Men Attacked With Baseball Bats In Co Antrim
Two 18-year-old men have been attacked with baseball bats in Whitehead, Co Antrim. The victims were closing premises in the Balmoral Avenue area at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, 04 October when three men assaulted them. Both men were treated in hospital for their injuries. One has been discharged, and the other remains in hospital.
Two Men Attacked With Baseball Bats In Co Antrim
Two 18-year-old men have been attacked with baseball bats in Whitehead, Co Antrim. The victims were closing premises in the Balmoral Avenue area at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, 04 October when three men assaulted them. Both men were treated in hospital for their injuries. One has been discharged, and the other remains in hospital.
06 February 2023
Appeal For Information On Aggravated Burglary In Cookstown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a report of an aggravated burglary at the Queens Avenue area of Cookstown on Friday 3rd February. Shortly after 10pm, it was reported that four masked men entered a property in the area with one of the men armed with an iron bar and another man armed with a suspected firearm.
Appeal For Information On Aggravated Burglary In Cookstown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a report of an aggravated burglary at the Queens Avenue area of Cookstown on Friday 3rd February. Shortly after 10pm, it was reported that four masked men entered a property in the area with one of the men armed with an iron bar and another man armed with a suspected firearm.
26 June 2024
Three Men Arrested In Connection With L'Derry Robbery
The PSNI have arrested three men as part of an investigation into a robbery in L'Derry last year. The robbery, involving a delivery van, was reported to have occurred in the Lecky Road area of the city on the morning of Wednesday, 1 November, 2023.
Three Men Arrested In Connection With L'Derry Robbery
The PSNI have arrested three men as part of an investigation into a robbery in L'Derry last year. The robbery, involving a delivery van, was reported to have occurred in the Lecky Road area of the city on the morning of Wednesday, 1 November, 2023.
19 May 2023
Three Men Arrested In Connection With Armed Hijacking
Three men have been arrested in connection with an armed hijacking and subsequent collision in the Newtownards area on Thursday, 18 May. At around 8.30pm last night, police received a report that a vehicle had been hijacked in the East Street area of Newtownards.
Three Men Arrested In Connection With Armed Hijacking
Three men have been arrested in connection with an armed hijacking and subsequent collision in the Newtownards area on Thursday, 18 May. At around 8.30pm last night, police received a report that a vehicle had been hijacked in the East Street area of Newtownards.
20 August 2018
Woman Attacked With Metal Bar In Ballycastle
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a woman was attacked with a metal bar in the early hours of Sunday 19 August in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. A 27-year-old was attacked at about 1.45am on Fairhill Street. A 29-year-old man has been detained in connection with the incident. Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident.
Woman Attacked With Metal Bar In Ballycastle
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a woman was attacked with a metal bar in the early hours of Sunday 19 August in Ballycastle, Co Antrim. A 27-year-old was attacked at about 1.45am on Fairhill Street. A 29-year-old man has been detained in connection with the incident. Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
