Nine Fixed Penalty Notices issued at April 14 tractor protest whilst officers 'continue to review the footage gathered' - PSNI aware of planned fuel protests in Ballymena this evening
The PSNI say they are aware of ‘posters online calling for protests at various locations across Northern Ireland’, as yet another emerged for one in the Ballymena area.
‘Preparations for a policing response are underway to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.’ added the PSNI spokesman.
The general warning came as Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “We are aware of posters online calling for further protests at various locations across Northern Ireland this weekend and next week.
"Preparations for a policing response are underway to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.
“The right to freedom of speech and freedom assembly are fundamental human rights.
"They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest.
"However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.
“Those considering protests involving vehicles should be aware that all motorists have to consider other road users , particularly critical blue light or transport services.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland is required to balance the rights of all members of the public.
"This is particularly acute where processions, or protests, may have an impact on critical road users such as blue light services or on significant transport hubs such as airports and railway and bus stations.
"We will continue to police these protests with the ‘Four Es’ approach of engage, explain, encourage and, where we assess in the context of an individual incident that having had regard to all competing rights, enforcement if necessary.
"Where a Fixed Penalty Notice is issued to a motorist the recipient has the option to contest the matter in a court.
"Those organising public processions involving vehicles must also comply with the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 and the Parades Commission code of conduct.”
It has emerged that during the policing operation on Tuesday, 14 April, nine Fixed Penalty Notices were issued for road traffic offences.
Tickets were issued following a case by case consideration as the continuance of protest created an unacceptable interference with the strategic road network or community.
An evidence-gathering operation was in place and police continue to review the footage gathered in order to consider further prosecution for any potential offences.
The news comes as the latest ‘Fuel Protest’ poster advises: ‘Fuel Price Protest Planned for Ballymena Tonight.
‘This image is currently being shared across social media calling for a major protest in Ballymena over rising fuel costs.
‘Organisers are urging people to gather at all main roundabouts from 5:00pm today (Friday), including:
- Larne Link Roundabout
- M2 Roundabout
- Galgorm Roundabout
- Ecos Roundabout
The poster adds: 'The message behind it is clear – frustration is growing over the cost of living, with calls to “shut down the town” and make voices heard.
'The Police Service of Northern Ireland have already confirmed they are aware of planned protests and are preparing a response to manage safety and disruption.
'If you're travelling in or around Ballymena this evening, expect delays and consider alternative routes'.
The news comes after fuel protests were held throughout Northern Ireland earlier this week.
Slow-moving convoys of tractors and other vehicles formed in Belfast and several other areas as part of protests against rising energy bills.
While the protests led to significant traffic jams in some areas, the disruption was not on the scale of recent fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland, where motorways were brought to standstills and fuel depots blockaded.