News

Organiser of illegal rave could face legal action

Belfast city council are considering legal action against the organiser of an illegal dance event held in north Belfast at the weekend.
Belfast city council are considering legal action against the organiser of an illegal dance event held in north Belfast at the weekend. Belfast city council are considering legal action against the organiser of an illegal dance event held in north Belfast at the weekend.

A Belfast City Council spokesperson has said it is considering legal action against a north Belfast man who organised a three night unlicenced rave.

John Clarke, claimed objection to the 'Section 75' dance event on the Hilllview Road was "politically motivated".

The maximum penalty for holding an event without a licence is £20,000 and/or six months imprisonment.

Clarke, who has a previous conviction for his role in the Continuity IRA blackmailing of a prominent business man, told the Irish News people were trying to "dirty my name".

The dance event at an industrial estate had been served with a probation notice by the Fire Service who deemed the building unsafe for such purposes.

The courts had previously refused to grant a drinks licence to Clarke after objections from the PSNI and Belfast City Council.

Organisers claimed the free event for over 18s was properly regulated and that they had organised sufficient security.

"We had up to 15-20 security staff and up to 30 Portaloos," Clarke told the Irish News.

"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.

However, local people complained of drunken, anti social behaviour and drug taking in the vicinity of the event.

A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said; "We are aware of an event which took place over the weekend.

"Whilst advice about how to apply for an entertainment licence was provided to the organiser he did not apply for an entertainment licence.

"He applied to the courts for a licence to sell alcohol at the event, which the council objected to on the basis that there was no entertainment licence.

"PSNI also objected to the application, which was refused by the courts.

"The council is currently reviewing what occurred in the course of the event to consider whether to take any action against the operator.

"The organiser was also served with a noise abatement notice. Failure to comply with that is punishable by a fine of up to £20,000 where the noise comes from industrial, trade or business premises", the spokesperson added.