Four individuals accused of taking part in a racially motivated assault on two tourists in Belfast city centre have been denied bail.
Connil Rice (34), Cian Quinn (28), and sisters Lucy Reid (38) and Victoria Reid (22) appeared before Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged in connection with the incident, reports Breaking News.
The two tourists were attacked around 11pm on Tuesday night in the Royal Avenue area of the city centre.
Police said that neither of the men appeared to have sustained serious injuries in what officers are treating as a racially motivated hate crime, reports Breaking News.
Rice, of Victoria Parade, Belfast, faces charges of common assault and disorderly behaviour. Quinn, who was described in court as homeless but previously lived at Southview Street, is charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Lucy Reid, also of Southview Street, faces one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while her sister Victoria Reid, of no fixed address but currently staying at a homelessness centre on Waring Street, is charged with common assault and disorderly behaviour, reports Breaking News.
Racial aggravation is listed as a factor in the charges brought against all four accused.
A police officer, who confirmed that each of the defendants could be connected to the offences, opposed bail applications, reports Breaking News.
She told the court that the altercation began when Rice approached one of the tourists, walking alongside him and behaving in a “very daunting” manner while apparently intoxicated.
According to the officer, CCTV footage shows the man pushing Rice away with one arm before Rice struck him in the face, sparking a physical altercation, reports Breaking News.
The court was told that Rice then allegedly called on the other accused to join in the attack.
It was further alleged that the second tourist was assaulted when he tried to protect his friend, reports Breaking News.
The officer testified that Victoria Reid shouted “P” and “traffickers” at the tourists during the incident.
She is also accused of pulling one of the men to the ground and sitting on him while her sister Lucy kicked him in the lower back, reports Breaking News.
District Judge Anne Marshall refused bail for all four defendants, citing a risk of reoffending and non-compliance with bail conditions.
“This is obviously a very serious and concerning incident,” she said, reports Breaking News.
“And the court has a duty to protect the public and people who live and work in Belfast, people who want to use the city centre, the very heart of the city centre in the evening to attend whatever activities and events are going on,” reports Breaking News.
All four defendants were remanded in custody to reappear before the court via video link on November 27th, reports Breaking News
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