Crowds urged to stay away from Holylands on St. Patrick's Day amid coronavirus fears

Monday, 16 March 2020 00:05

Q Radio News

Residents, police and politicians are calling for crowds of young people to stay away from the Holylands area of south Belfast over the St. Patrick's Day holiday - citing coronavirus concerns.

Local people say they fear it could become the "party capital' of the city after the main St. Patrick's Day celebrations were postponed.

Residents' representative Brid Ruddy has told Q Radio Covid-19 makes the annual nightmare even worse...

🎥 ‘Drunks’ urged to stay away from the Holyland area of Belfast on St. Patrick's Day

With city centre celebrations off, residents fear thousands could party in the Holylands, spreading #coronavirus @bridrua says lives could be on the line as the #COVID19 crisis deepens: pic.twitter.com/3CUzeymXCW
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 15, 2020

South Belfast MLA Clare Bailey has urged young people to "show civic duty" in the Holylands in light of the Covid-19 situation and with St. Patrick’s Day approaching.

The Green Party leader said:

“Our Health Service and first responders must not be diverted away from dealing with and preparing for Covid-19.

“It’s time for everyone to show civic duty. That means not coming to the Holylands if you don’t live there. Please prevent your children from coming to the Holylands if you are a parent or guardian. A gathering of young people in the area poses greater risks than ever before to their health and that of the wider community.

“If you live in the Holylands - don’t heap more misery on other residents and waste the time of doctors, nurses, police and paramedics through criminality and anti-social behaviour.”

She concluded:

“The annual upscaling of anti-social behaviour and criminality in the Holylands on St. Patrick’s Day has never been ok.

“This year it’s more important than ever before that people don’t come into the area and play out the scenes have we have been angered by previously.”