The manager of Manchester's Irish World Heritage Centre has hit back after police said they were called to a 'large fight' at the venue.
Officers said a woman was taken to hospital after a brawl broke out during St Patrick's Day festivities at about 11pm last night (Sunday).
It came after a parade was held at the centre in Cheetham Hill to mark the celebration. There was also a funfair at the venue, with entertainment on all day and into the evening.
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However, the club's general manager, Charlene Boylan, has claimed that the fight only involved two men while others were trying to separate the pair.
One of those - a woman who had volunteered as a steward at the parade - was punched and suffered a 'busted lip'.
She was taken to hospital but has since been discharged.
"It was just two people fighting," explained Ms Boylan.
"It happened as we were closing and trying to get everyone out of the door.
"One threw a punch at another, he got up and they carried on fighting.
"There were a lot of people trying to stop them fighting, but it wasn't a mass brawl."
No arrests have been made, a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said.
Police initially said that 'extensive damage' was caused to the venue. However, Ms Boylan claimed it was 'the typical aftermath of a St Patrick's Day parade'.
"There were balloons, wrappers and a fair bit of broken glass," she said.
"You expect rubbish all over the place. I'm used to it because I see it every year.
"When you've got one to two thousand people coming through the door, what would you expect it to look like?
"When the police arrived, they thought the place had been trashed.
"It was a big festival and that was all the aftermath. There's no damage to the building whatsoever.
"It was a really good day and everybody enjoyed the celebrations. The atmosphere was fantastic."
A video taken at the scene on Sunday evening showed multiple police cars and ambulance vehicles stationed in the car park.
An eyewitness said he saw 'chairs and bottles being thrown' as the fight broke out.
This morning, pictures taken at the scene showed smashed glass and bottles on the floor outside the venue.
Bosses say they plan to reopen the centre as normal on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said the force was 'focusing on the investigation' into the incident.
Anyone with information or footage should contact police on 101 quoting incident 3110 of 13/03/22.
Alternatively, details can be passed via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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