Crowds holding St Patrick’s Day parties at a Belfast park have been cleared from the area.
Police closed down Botanic Gardens in the south of the city after hundreds of young people had gathered on Wednesday.
Prior to the police intervention, there had been a party atmosphere with groups drinking, playing music and playing ball games.
There are currently tight restrictions on public gatherings in Northern Ireland under Covid-19 regulations.
PSNI assistant chief constable Alan Todd said officers took “operational action” at the location.
Officers present in the park formed a line and walked across it, funnelling those gathered towards the exits.
An announcement was made that the park was being closed to ensure adherence to coronavirus regulations.
Mr Todd said a number of people were turned away from beauty spots but that the majority had heeded the public health messages.
This St Patrick’s Day make the right call and stay at home and in your bubble to prevent the spread of #COVID19.
You should only travel for essential reasons to reduce social contact with others. Following the Health Regulations helps to reduce the infection rate.#StayHome pic.twitter.com/GvaMHs5A10— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 17, 2021
The traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations, including a large parade in Belfast city centre, have been cancelled due to the pandemic.
Mr Todd previously warned that those caught breaking the rules against gathering in groups could expect to face stiff fines.
And he said people who had been fined before risked even tougher penalties.
Joining a patrol in Downpatrick, a town with historic links to St Patrick, PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne thanked the public, the vast majority of whom, he said, were adhering to the coronavirus restrictions.
On the beat today with @PSNINMDown Neighbourhood team as part of a timely visit to Downpatrick. Pleased that the vast majority of the public are adhering to the @niexecutive health regulations.
Thank you. #StPatricksDay #StayHome pic.twitter.com/E2YP7dwCwr— Simon Byrne (@ChiefConPSNI) March 17, 2021
Meanwhile, gardaí arrested 21 people at different anti-lockdown protests in Dublin on St Patrick's Day.
Hundreds gathered in Herbert Park in south Dublin, with the anti-lockdown event billed as Le Cheile Day — “a mental health day”.
Singers and musicians entertained the crowd, with members of An Garda Síochána keeping a discreet presence.
Separately, a small group of anti-lockdown demonstrators gathered at the RTÉ campus in Donnybrook in the afternoon.
At least three other protests and gatherings were due to take place in and around Dublin city centre on Wednesday.
