Manchester’s Irish World Heritage Centre could lose its licence over St Patrick’s Day ‘brawl’

An elderly woman was punched in the face during the incident, a police report says.
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Manchester’s Irish World Heritage Centre could lose its licence due to a fight which broke out during St Patrick’s Day celebrations on Sunday 13 March.

The ‘terrifying incident’ left an elderly woman who was punched in the face amid the ‘violent brawl’ with ‘nasty facial injuries’, according to a police report.

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Officers were called to the venue in Cheetham Hill at around 11pm after reports of ‘over 40 travellers fighting’ and throwing chairs and glasses ‘everywhere’.

One 999 caller reported that ‘guns and knives’ had been mentioned resulting in GMP requesting firearms officers attend together with the tactical aid unit.

There were also reports of vehicles crashing into each other in the car park.

However, the manager of the centre off Queens Road which hosted the St Patrick’s Day Parade earlier that day has denied there was a ‘mass brawl’.

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Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, club manager Charlene Boylan said the fight only involved two men while others tried to separate the pair.

Licence reviewed

The centre will have an opportunity to make representations at an interim steps hearing for a summary review of the licence on Monday (21 March).

But in a police statement, Supt Zac Fraser said the licence should be suspended until a full review is heard by a Manchester council panel.

He said: “Clearly this was a terrifying incident for all those who were caught up in it, both staff and customers alike, and unfortunately an elderly female volunteer has received nasty facial injuries as a result of being punched in the face.

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“GMP are concerned that there may be reprisals in relation to this incident as there often are following violent brawls of this nature and GMP’s senior officers are not confident that the premises remaining open as a licenced premises is in the best interests of public safety.”

According to the statement signed on 17 March , crimes for violent disorder and grievous bodily harm have been submitted as a result of the incident.

One 999 caller reported that many people were injured in the fight and told police that the ‘old lady’ who was punched in the face was an NHS volunteer.

The incident was brought under control by 11.22pm, according to the police report, and officers started sweeping the building to look for injured victims.

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Anyone with information or footage should contact police on 101 quoting incident 3110 of 13/03/22. Alternatively, details can be sent via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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