Boy (12) injured in fireworks attack in Belfast – The Irish Times

A 12-year-old boy is in hospital in Northern Ireland with eye damage after being hit by fireworks on Saturday evening.

The incident, which the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described as a “ruthless attack”, happened at around 8.30pm in the Stewartstown Road area of ​​Dunmurry, near Belfast.

PSNI Chief Inspector Louise Dunne said: “It has been reported that a 12-year-old boy was hit in the face by a firework thrown by a group of young people in the area.” The young man was treated for a serious eye injury following the incident admitted to hospital.

“This incident was traumatic for the young man and his family, who suffered serious injury as a result of this reckless attack. “I would ask parents to think about how they would feel if it was their child who had suffered these injuries,” said Chief Inspector Dunne.

PSNI inquiries to identify those involved are ongoing.

“As we approach the Halloween season, I would like to ask local parents and guardians to talk to their young people about where they are and who they are with, and to warn them of the dangers associated with such behavior accompany. They could harm themselves or others and end up with a criminal record, which would affect their future employment and travel prospects,” she added.

It is believed that a large proportion of the fireworks used in the Republic at this time of year are imported from Northern Ireland.

It is illegal in both Northern Ireland and the Republic to import, possess, sell or use other fireworks without a license. It is also an offense in both jurisdictions to light an unauthorized firework or to throw a lit firework at a person or property.