Three people have been released on bail following their arrest after a boat displaying an Irish tricolour was torched in what police have said was a sectarian attack in Co Antrim.
The incident, in which one person was hospitalised for injuries, saw a fight break out after the boat docked at a pier in the Beach Road area of Portballintrae on the north Antrim coast on Monday evening.
Officers were alerted to the incident at around 7.45pm.
Police said an altercation occurred over the flag being displayed on the vessel, which was later set alight and “extensively damaged” in what is being treated as a sectarian hate crime.
“Officers attended the scene, and one man required hospital treatment for his injuries,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
Three men aged 25, 63 and 30, were all arrested on suspicion of offences including criminal damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
They have since been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
“We are treating this report as a sectarian-motivated hate crime and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and noticed what happened,” a PSNI spokesperson said.
“Anyone with any information or who may have mobile, CCTV or other footage can contact police on 101 quoting reference 1651 03/06/24.”
Fire crews as well as Coleraine and Ballycastle coastguard teams were called to the scene of the blaze at 3.30am on Tuesday.
BOAT FIRE - PORTBALLINTRAE Coleraine and Ballycastle Coastguard Rescue Teams were tasked at 03:30 to provide safety...
Posted by Coleraine Coastguard on Tuesday 4 June 2024
In a statement, Coleraine Coastguard said they were tasked to “provide safety cover for NIFRS who were attending a boat on fire at Portballintrae Harbour”.
“The boat was completely destroyed but thankfully no one was aboard at the time.
“While there is no further risk of fire, there is a slight risk of pollution from fuel on board and recreational water users should avoid the area near the vessel until it has been moved.”
Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan condemned the attack, which he described as “disgraceful”.
“There is no place for sectarianism or hatred in our society – we are looking forward and working together towards a better future for all,” he said.
“Police are treating this attack as a sectarian hate crime, and I would urge anyone with information on this attack to bring it forward to the police.”
