Major weekend rave for NI island

Police will be on patrol on an island with a population of just 90 this weekend due to a rave music event.

At least 1,000 revellers are expected to travel to Rathlin Island off north Antrim for the three-day event.

Police do not routinely patrol the island but say they will definitely have a presence there this weekend.

"The impression some people have is that they can go to the island and do what they want," said a spokesman.

"But we have a duty to protect the residents of Rathlin."

Moyle District Council has agreed to the issuing of an outdoor occasional entertainments licence for the event taking place from Friday until Sunday.

Rathlin Island is renowned for its picturesque scenery and wildlife

The coastguard is also expected to be on alert as the last time it was held there were fears over overcrowding on vessels travelling from Ballycastle, County Antrim, to the island.

In addition to rave-type music, a number of other musical acts are expected to perform at the event.

Rathlin, which is just 14 miles from the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland, is Northern Ireland's only inhabited off-shore island.