Belfast boxing clubs hits out at 'idiots' risking 5 years cross community in Hillview trouble
A Belfast boxing club is warning members they will be "stripped" of their membership if they get involved in ongoing disorder in the area around a city retail park.
The club secretary at Sacred Heart Boxing Club/Academy Belfast hit out at "idiots" he said are jeopardising five years of cross community work in the wake of days of street fighting and anti-social behaviour in the area around Hillview Retail Park in North Belfast.
The issue was raised with the local police at a PCSP meeting on Thursday evening, following reports of disturbances since Thursday, September 19.
READ MORE: Ongoing trouble including youths 'fighting with sticks' to be raised with police
READ MORE: Domestic abuse survivor urges others to speak out after ex-partner jailed
One video showing a brief clip of trouble in the area shows a large group of young people running across the car park at the retail park, however it is unclear what they're doing and there does not appear to be any assaults.
Now the club secretary at Sacred Heart Boxing Club/Academy Belfast has weighed in. A statement on their Facebook page has warned any members involved in the trouble, they will lose their membership.
It read: "I'd like to make this quite clear. If I hear or see any members of our club participating in the shit that's happening down in the Hillview estate at the Starbucks and LIDL carpark your membership will be stripped from you from the club and you'll never train in there again.
"We have not spent the last five years building cross community relationships to be jeopardised by idiots.
"I remember back in the day if the likes of Eamonn Maguire, Eric McCullough or Colm Magill heard anything of this you would've got a kick up the arse and put out off the club. You represent the club 24/7, end of."
Eamonn Magill, who also coaches at the club, told Belfast Live "there is no religion in boxing" and that he felt the need to issue the warning because the "last thing you want is a kid getting embroiled in this crap".
He added: "It was just in case any of our kids have any notion of heading down that direction.
"If you're caught, you're caught - you're out the door and that's it. We are trying to do what we can for kids in the area - and you don't need that backwards shit. We are doing well, we are winning competitions and we have got so many kids off the streets and that's the way we want to keep it.
"We are able to work with the schools, teachers and parents. Last year, it was the motorbikes... lucky enough that fizzled out.
"It's just getting into it before it really starts escalating and planting a seed in their heads... to think twice. If you are caught... that's a criminal record and you will never get into any country, end of.
"If you want to go to Disneyland with your parents - you will be sitting in the house with your granny and granda while your brother and sisters go to Disneyland with your parents. You have to put the negative into a positive. I just give them the worst case scenario and they go and think about it."
Police said when they responded to reports of young people fighting, officers have come under attack.
They say a “stark warning has also been issued by police that those involved in committing such offences face the very real prospect of prosecution and a criminal record”.
READ MORE: West Belfast police appeal after woman assaulted and robbed by two men while out walking
READ MORE: Ballykelly pensioner dies after collision between bus and car
Chief Inspector Lowry added: "A report was received on Saturday, 21st September of a number of youths fighting with sticks in the Cambria Street area.
"Officers attended and the youths had already dispersed. Crews remained in the area for a time and carried out additional patrols.
"At around 5.30pm, a number of youths gathered in the Hillview area and were asked by police to disperse.
"Crews remained in the area for the evening and a large number of youths had also gathered around Havana Gardens and threw masonry and bicycle wheels at police as they patrolled the area.
"Police received additional reports on Saturday, 21st September of groups of youths also fighting on the Crumlin Road and within a retail park in the Hillview area where there have been further reports of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
"Investigations into these reports is ongoing as we work to identify those involved. Where offences are have been committed, we will not hesitate to bring the perpetrators before the courts.
"We are continuing to work alongside partner agencies and local representatives in order to help resolve these issues.
"Patrols will continue and will also be increased in the area to deter further activity of this nature as the safety of local communities is paramount.
"We would also ask parents and guardians to also speak to their young people and to know where they are to prevent them from engaging in behaviour which could result in injury or a criminal record."
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.