Avoniel bonfire: PSNI identify men whose images released

The bonfire was lit on 11 July

Police say they have now identified all of the four people whose images were issued over disorder at an east Belfast leisure centre in July 2019.

Protesters caused disruption at Avoniel Leisure Centre after Belfast City Council attempted to remove a loyalist bonfire from the site.

The council eventually gave up on its efforts to remove the bonfire.

A contractor due to remove it pulled out after police said there was a risk of "serious violence".

• Controversial bonfire lit in leisure centre car park

This was denied by bonfire organisers.

Speaking on Thursday, Det Ch Insp Mary White said: "Over the course of a number of days, there was a small number of people in the area who were intent on causing disruption to the normal business of the council facility.

"It is in everybody's interest - as well as in the interest of justice - that those responsible are dealt with appropriately and I would urge anyone who may have any information to bring it forward."

Police issued the images of four people they wanted to speak to in relation to the disorder.

Three of the men were identified by police on Thursday shortly after their images were released.

The fourth man was identified on Friday morning.

The council closed the leisure centre after its entrance was barricaded by men who were behaving in a "threatening" way to staff.

The controversial fire was lit on 11 July along with hundreds of others in loyalist areas on the eve of the Twelfth of July marches.