Bar evacuated in alert

Army bomb experts carried out a controlled explosion outside the bar

St Patrick's Day revellers have been evacuated from a bar during a security alert in south Belfast.

Army bomb experts carried out two controlled explosions on the device left in a car just off University Street on Wednesday evening.

Residents from a number of houses in the area were evacuated.

Francie Mackin, owner of the Menagerie Bar, said former Pogues singer Shane MacGowan had been due to perform there.

"We have been preparing ourselves for the last couple of months to provide good entertainment for people, with top names and top DJs," he said.

"For this to happen is really a blow to St Patrick's Day."

A car was damaged in the disturbance at Peter's Hill

Earlier in the city centre, one police officer was injured by a broken bottle after an incident involving a gang of youths near the Castlecourt Shopping Centre.

Three people were arrested.

In west Belfast, police were called to the Peter's Hill area near the Shankill Road following reports of clashes between two groups of people.

Officers separated the crowd after a brief stand-off.

One car was damaged, but there were no arrests or injuries.

Independent Unionist Councillor Frank McCoubrey said local people believed the trouble was started by a crowd returning from the free open air concert in the city centre.

"We're saddened that this has happened - it was a totally unprovoked attack on this community," he said.

There's absolutely no evidence to suggest that people involved in that skirmish were even anywhere near the concert Irene Sherry St Patrick's Carnival Committee

"There's no need for what happened, and the community is fearful at the moment.

"I've spoken to the police and they've told me that there's going to be a police presence in the area overnight to prevent further attacks."

Irene Sherry from the St Patrick's Carnival Committee said the success of the day should not be overshadowed by "minor skirmishes".

"There's absolutely no evidence to suggest that people involved in that skirmish were even anywhere near the concert," she said.

"From our point of view, we do not want people like that attending our events, and we would not welcome them back."