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Criticism of 'illegal rave' in north Belfast is politically motivated, claims organiser

A heavy police presence was in operation at the 'rave' at Hillview Road in north Belfast. Picture by Samuel Severn/Pacemaker Press
A heavy police presence was in operation at the 'rave' at Hillview Road in north Belfast. Picture by Samuel Severn/Pacemaker Press A heavy police presence was in operation at the 'rave' at Hillview Road in north Belfast. Picture by Samuel Severn/Pacemaker Press

THE organiser of an unlicensed three night rave in north Belfast has claimed critics of the event are "politically motivated".

The third and final night of the free 'Section 75' event at Hillview Road was set to take place last night.

Police said that a number of arrests were made on Friday but that the event on Saturday "concluded at approximately 11pm and no issues were reported".

DUP councillor and former Mayor of Belfast Brian Kingston described the event as "appalling" .

In a Facebook post last night he said that the Fire Service had served a "prohibition notice and issued a caution" to those involved in its organising.

"The notice means that the building is unfit for purpose and should not be used."

Mr Kingston said that it was "likely" that council would seek to serve "an injunction on the premises" to prevent future events at the site on an industrial estate.

Sinn Féin councillor JJ Magee said that party representatives had also been approached by "concerned residents".

"Clearly the safety of anyone attending was paramount along with residents' quality of life being protected. Regulations are there to protect the public and must be observed by organisers of any such event."

Organisers however say they event was held for the charity Rehabilitate Youth Ireland, which is aimed at the "relief of need amongst our youth and their families".

Spokesman John Clarke, who was convicted in 2013 of involvement in a Continuity IRA blackmail plot, said that "people are trying to dirty my name".

Mr Clarke told The Irish News: "Everyone in the community has been using the service. The term 'Catholics and Protestants' doesn't exist anymore, it is so f***ing 1990s.

"And as for the word 'rave' - I have never heard the like of it. What about the people who live near the west Belfast festival or the Ardoyne festival?

"We didn't obtain an entertainment licence. We have been engaging with Belfast City Council for more than a year...there were crossed wires.

He added: "Because we are unfunded we are a bit slow behind the scenes. £5,000 in deposits would have been lost so we decided to just go ahead."

Mr Clarke claimed there was "no trouble whatsoever" and urged anyone with concerns to "come and speak to me".

"Don't think that I am not approachable. We are not a Mickey Mouse organisation.We had 15-20 security staff and up to 30 portaloos."

Meanwhile, police have said its officers were attacked by youths throwing bottles while dealing with an incident in Ballyclare.

It happened as police attended reports of around 100 young people, aged from 12 to 17, drinking and causing disturbances.