Clashes disrupt Twelfth parades
North Belfast was picking up the pieces Tuesday after the worst night of violence for years.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Two officers were injured after petrol bombs, fireworks, stones and bottles were hurled and water cannon and baton rounds used to fend off attackers at the Ardoyne flashpoint in north Belfast. A van was also hijacked and pushed at police lines.
Crowds gathered ahead of the return parade by Orangemen from their July 12 demonstrations.
Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly blamed the Real IRA for the trouble.
"This evening's actions expose very clearly the anti-peace process and sectarian agenda which feeds these factions. It has nothing whatever to do with Irish republicanism," he said.
"They chose to try and use the opportunity presented by this parade to further an agenda which has time and again been rejected by the republican community in Ardoyne and everywhere else."
Police fired at least 14 baton rounds.
In Londonderry there were minor disturbances and there has also been trouble in Rasharkin, County Antrim and Armagh.
Police assistant chief constable Alistair Finlay said he was disappointed.
He said: "It is very disappointing that there were a minority of people, in North Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Rasharkin and other parts of Northern Ireland who showed total disregard for local communities.
"They displayed the worst possible face of Northern Ireland - a face of bigotry, sectarianism and intolerance that is not representative of the vast majority of people who have moved on and embraced a peaceful future."
In Rasharkin, officers sustained minor injuries when they were struck by stones and bricks by youths in the village.
Petrol bombs were hurled. One man was arrested.
There were disturbances during the return leg of the Twelfth parade in Londonderry and minor trouble in the Butcher's Gate area where one policeman sustained a slight injury.
Police came under attack with petrol bombs and paint during disturbances in Armagh following a security alert at Friary Road in which a minor explosion occurred.
Four people have been arrested for public order offences following a number of minor disturbances.
At least two cars were also stolen and set alight on Friary Road.
Mr Finlay added: "It is crucial that people continue to engage in dialogue and find long-term acceptable solutions to ensure that the disgraceful scenes we have witnessed are confined to the past once and for all. That is what the vast majority of people in Northern Ireland want."
© Press Association