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.
  • Orangemen march past the nationalist Ardoyne area of north Belfast
    Orangemen march past the nationalist Ardoyne area of north Belfast


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.

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