Northern Ireland

PSNI issue thousands of pounds in Covid-19 penalties after attending party at home of Nathan Carter

Nathan Carter performing at his home with his brother Jake for the BBC's Keepin' 'er Country series.
Nathan Carter performing at his home with his brother Jake for the BBC's Keepin' 'er Country series. Nathan Carter performing at his home with his brother Jake for the BBC's Keepin' 'er Country series.

POLICE are expected to issue up to 60 Covid-19 fines totalling around £13,000 after attending the home of country music star Nathan Carter on Friday night.

The Liverpool-born performer turned BBC Radio Ulster presenter was celebrating his 31st birthday at his luxury home in the Lisbellaw area of Co Fermanagh when PSNI officers arrived shortly after 10.30pm.

The Irish News reported on Monday that 15 fines were issued at a house party in the area on Friday night.

It can now be revealed that the house party took place at Mr Carter’s home in the rural setting close to Upper Lough Erne.

The PSNI said they attended the house after reports of an event suspected to be in breach of the Covid-19 regulations around gatherings at private dwellings.

Officers initially handed out 14 COV7 penalty notices, which attracts a fine of £200. A £1,000 COV9 fine was also issued on the night.

On Sunday police indicated that that further action would be taken in respect of the house party, attended by at least 50 people.

The Irish News understands that a total of up to 60 fines will be issued to those who attended the party, bringing the combined financial penalty to around £13,000.

The regulations around indoor and outdoor public gatherings were relaxed on May 24, with up to 500 now permitted at outdoor events. Larger indoor gatherings can take place with the correct risk assessment.

But the health regulations remain much stricter on private dwellings, allowing just six people from two households to mix inside a home, not including children.

Up to 15 people, including children, from three households are allowed to meet up outdoors in a garden.

Mr Carter was contacted for comment through his management, but did not respond.

One of the biggest names in Irish country music, the chart-topping musician has used the Covid-19 pandemic period to hone his skills as a radio presenter on the BBC, recently filling in for Hugo Duncan’s Radio Ulster programme.

The BBC have also signed the country star up for a new six-part radio series.

The second episode of Nathan Carter’s Country Themes was broadcast on Radio Ulster on Sunday night.

Although born and raised in Liverpool, the country star’s parents are originally from Newry.

He made Co Fermanagh his home in 2012.

Last year he welcomed the cameras into his newly purchased home near Lisbellaw for the BBC series ‘Keepin’ ‘er Country, At Home’.

The six-bedroom house, which features an indoor swimming pool, was listed on the market for around £850,000 during 2016.