Bogus ‘Celtic fans' hunted by police after north Belfast incident

A gang of young loyalists, posing as Glasgow Celtic supporters, are being sought by the police after a weekend of bitter sectarian clashes in north Belfast.

In the latest incident a 17-year-old youth was stabbed three times in the head after being confronted by the gang.

The youth had just got off a bus at Brougham Street, between Catholic New Lodge and Protestant Tiger’s Bay areas and was asked his religion by four youths, one of whom, was dressed in Celtic’s green and white colours.

The victim, believed to be a Protestant, is understood to have told his attackers he was a Catholic in a bid to escape injury.

But as he was fleeing he stumbled and was set upon, and was stabbed and beaten.

Earlier a woman was stopped in her car at the nearby Duncairn Gardens and North Queen Street junction by three youths, the ringleader again wearing a Celtic jersey.

She was questioned before he smashed the Ford Fiesta’s windows and began beating her while his accomplices began wrecking her car.

She got out and ran to safety before her attackers stole the vehicle, which was later found abandoned.

Police sources said members of the Ulster Young Militants, the youth wing of the Ulster Defence Association, regularly disguise themselves in the colours of the football club, which was founded by Catholics and has a strong Catholic following in Belfast.

(AMcE)