2 April 2025

SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has called for an end to violence at the Broadway interface.

He was speaking after a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital after being hit by a brick.

Councillor Doherty said:

“This is the latest in a long line of incidents at the Broadway interface and it is incredibly lucky that this teenage girl’s injuries are not more serious after being hit in the head by a brick. We could have been dealing with a tragic situation here today and the young people who regularly engage in disturbances in this area need to wake up and realise the potential consequences of what they’re doing.

“I have gone to this interface on a number of occasions to try and quell disturbances and it’s heartbreaking to see children - some of them not even in their teens - engaging in hostility with their neighbours. Alongside the threat to people’s safety, they are risking ending up with a criminal record which will severely limit their prospects in life.

“I welcome the continued police presence in this area to try and dissuade people from engaging in this kind of activity, but it seems to continue regardless. I would urge parents and representatives on both sides to make sure that local young people are aware of the dangers here so that we see an end to these disturbances before anyone else is hurt.”