Football team attacked on Twelfth

14 July 2011 Last updated at 13:48 GMT Crumlin Star player Anthony Braniff needed stitches after the attack (picture courtesy of Irish News) Members of a north Belfast football team had to be treated in hospital for injuries including stab wounds after they were attacked on the Twelfth.

The men, who play for Crumlin Star, were on their way home after a day at Dundalk Races when they were targeted at Alliance Avenue.

Up to eight were injured. One suffered a broken leg and fractured foot.

Police confirmed they are investigating the incident which the men believe was sectarian.

Details of the attack were reported in the Irish News on Thursday.

Crumlin Star member Ciaran Reid, said the team had travelled to Dundalk on Tuesday "to get away from the trouble in Belfast".

Facial injuries

He said they were aware of disturbances on the Crumlin Road and as a result their bus driver dropped them off on Alliance Avenue.

"We were walking down in twos and threes - the next thing 30-40 guys with golf clubs, bottles and sticks came running straight at us," he said.

"They caught up with a couple of us and got us on the ground".

Mr Reid said they were not wearing football tops but shirts and ties. However he said the fact that they were walking towards Ardoyne identified them as Catholic.

He suffered a broken leg and fractured foot while another player Anthony Braniff sustained facial injuries and received stitches above his eye.

He said eight players were injured with a number being treated in hospital.

A police spokesman confirmed the attack happened around 2030BST and a motive "had yet to be established".

View the original article here

Tyrone school attacked by vandals

13 July 2011 Last updated at 16:11 GMT A County Tyrone school has been targeted by vandals who smashed 30 windows in the building.

A small fire was also started and a gate-house damaged at Strabane Grammar School on the Liskey Road on Tuesday.

Sinn Fein MLA Michaela Boyle said the attack was the fourth on the school so far this month.

Speaking after visiting the scene, she said she believed the damage had been caused by youths bent on recreational violence.

"What we were met with was total, total destruction, 30 double-glazed windows in Portacabins smashed, paint spilled all around the school inside and out, a lot of damage inside and a gate-house at the front of the school completely gutted," Ms Boyle said.

"It's just deplorable. It's sickening."

Police are investigating the incident which was just one of several public disorder incidents that happened in the town.

View the original article here