Eight people caught breaking Covid rules on St Patrick’s Day

EIGHT people in the Tyrone area were caught breaching the Covid 19 regulations on St Patrick’s Day.

A total of seven enforcement notices were issued by police in Mid Ulster and one notice in Fermanagh and Omagh on St Patrick’s Day, with a number of other reports currently under investigation.

On Wednesday evening, police attended the Boating Lake and Oasis Plaza in Omagh to disperse a large crowd of young people who had gathered in the areas, while throughout the day, large quantities of alcohol and a boom box were seized during extensive police patrols around Omagh.

Police believe the alcohol was purchased by adults who had been ‘badgered’ into buying drink on behalf of the young people.

A total of 135 enforcement notices were issued across the North into the early hours of Thursday morning, but police believe that ‘most people’ heeded the public health advice and obeyed the regulations.

A spokesman for PSNI said, “A comprehensive policing operation was in place across Northern Ireland to help ensure that this St Patrick’s Day was peaceful, safe and that the current Health Protection Regulations were adhered to.

“Whilst we did note large numbers in some parks and beauty spots, officers implemented our four Es strategy, Engage, Explain, Encourage, and lastly Enforce, and encouraged people to return home where necessary.

“Parents and guardians, please speak to your children and make them aware of the importance of following the regulations and their responsibilities.

“Our preliminary figures indicate that a total of 135 enforcement notices were issued across Northern Ireland into the early hours of this morning.

“It is heartening to see that, for the most part, people heeded the messaging from police, from politicians, civic leaders and other representatives in terms of how they conducted themselves.”