Man who took part in disorder 'out of boredom' sentenced

A man who took part in racially motivated violence in Belfast last August "out of boredom" will spend 20 months in jail.

Matthew Brogan, from Drumbeg South in Craigavon, was sentenced to a total of 40 months, 20 of which will be spent on licence after his release.

Businesses and police officers were attacked after an anti-immigration rally made its way from Belfast city centre to the Islamic Centre in the south of the city on 3 August 2024.

Violence later broke out in the Donegall Road and Sandy Row area, during which the 29-year-old threw masonry at police and helped to move a car which was later set on fire.

Belfast Crown Court heard on Thursday some areas of the UK experienced violence and disorder with racial undertones.

"There were a number of days in August that Belfast bore the brunt and experienced mass civil unrest," Judge Patrick Lynch said.

During the disorder, Brogan was present in the area for several hours and later engaged with masked men, appearing to open a gate and shake a car as it was moved to Wellwood Street at about 21:37 BST before it was set alight.

He was also seen throwing objects at officers.

Brogan was identified five days later by a member of the public after police released images of people believed to be involved in the disorder.

He was later arrested at a Belfast hostel and a yellow shirt, matching the one he wore during the violence, was seized.

During a police interview, Brogan said he was only in the area for three hours and denied he was involved, adding that he was only there to watch.

When asked about the car and gate, he said he was making sure it didn't hit the gate and damage it.

He later admitted he "riotously assembled together with others".

Defence barrister, Cameron Faulkner, said Brogan accepted his presence and that he threw masonry at police.

However, he added that he was not an organiser or planner, but had joined in "out of boredom".

The court heard by the time Brogan became involved "in the movement of the crowd", disorder had already broken out and no-one was injured.

Mr Faulkner also outlined his client's clear criminal record.

Imposing the 40-month sentence, the judge said while there was no evidence that Brogan was an organiser or planner, he was nonetheless "a fulsome member of the rioting crowd".

He added that the unrest on 3 August was aggravated by "racial hostility" and directed towards immigrants "most of whom actually provide a working and valuable contribution to our society".

"The defendant knew he was involving himself in a racist protest, there is no doubt about that - and still participated for a lengthy period of time."