Man charged with riotous behaviour following Stewartstown Road disorder in west Belfast

A 30-year-old man has been charged with a number of offences following disorder linked to scrambler motorcycles in west Belfast earlier this year.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Thursday 8 October that officers from its Public Order Enquiry Team in Belfast had charged the man following an investigation into incidents in the Stewartstown Road area on Saturday 18 July 2026.

Charges following west Belfast disorder

The man has been charged with offences including riotous behaviour, criminal damage, affray and intentionally encouraging or assisting riot.

The charges relate to disorder which occurred after police carried out a planned operation in response to reports of dangerous driving earlier that morning.

According to the PSNI, a large number of young people were seen travelling dangerously and at speed on scrambler-type motorcycles in the wider Stewartstown Road and Falls Road areas.

Court appearance scheduled for November

The 30-year-old is due to appear before Lisburn Magistrates’ Court on Monday 2 November 2026.

Police confirmed that, as is normal procedure, all charges will be reviewed by the Public Prosecution Service.

The charges remain allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

PSNI – Public disorder, Stewartstown Road information portal