Violence flares after Orange Order march through Ardoyne
Police in Belfast say they are continuing to deal
with what they described as "significant disorder" in the Brompton Park
area of Ardoyne this evening.
Police in Belfast say they are continuing to deal with what they
described as "significant disorder" in the Brompton Park area of Ardoyne
this evening.
Four officers have been hurt but none are believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.
A number of petrol bombs have been thrown at riot police as well as
other missiles. Police tonight confirmed that one baton round has been
discharged during disturbances.
Around 15 Orange Order members paraded without incident through the town earlier today.
Representatives of three lodges and a band walked silently through
the Ardoyne interface, flanked by riot police with batons, shields and
helmets.
Nationalist protesters held placards as they watched them go past,
exchanging insults with loyalist supporters in the urban area of
terraced houses.
This morning's Orange Order parade through the Ardoyne interface also passed off without major incident.
The Parades Commission had ruled that the return leg of the parade must pass back through Ardoyne by 4pm.
The decision angered loyalists, but the Orange Order last night announced that they had reached a "peaceful resolution".
The marchers were transferred to Ardoyne by bus to meet the deadline.
Up to 200 residents lined the streets outside the Ardoyne shops this
morning, in protest against the parade through the nationalist area.
Earlier, police said that despite some localised disorder overnight,
the majority of celebrations marking the eve of the Twelfth passed off
peacefully.
The PSNI said it had made ten arrests following public disorder in
the Broadway area of west Belfast overnight. Nine remain in custody.
Northern Ireland Justice Minister David Ford called on politicians
and community leaders to use their influence to keep the peace.
Violence was not inevitable, he said, but any trouble would damage
community relations and tarnish the reputation of Northern Ireland
internationally.
He said: "It is evident that a small number of recent decisions by the Parades Commission have caused considerable concern.
"However, the decisions of the statutory body stand and should be
complied with. Society cannot opt out of complying with the law."
Rioting has marred 12 July celebrations in Ardoyne in recent years.
Last year, 59 arrests were made in the nationalist area after the parade passed through.
Comments