Post by cenydd on Aug 10, 2013 15:35:39 GMT
Northern Ireland's top policeman has condemned "mindless anarchy and sheer thuggery", after loyalist protests in Belfast turned violent yesterday, injuring 56 police officers.
The demonstration was against a republican parade marking the introduction of internment in 1971.
The protesters hurled bricks, bottles and fireworks at police before the parade arrived. Some cars were set on fire in the North Street area, and shops were damaged.
Police used rubber bullets, water cannon and dogs to control the crowds, which prevented the parade from passing as planned along Royal Avenue - one of the city's main shopping areas, near City Hall. Five of the injured officers needed hospital treatment.
And today Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of the PSNI, said: "I know that 99 per cent, if not more, of the population will stand with me in utterly condemning those who scarred the reputation of our beautiful city last night.
"Those people had no intention of peaceful protest, they lack self respect and they lack dignity."
The demonstration was against a republican parade marking the introduction of internment in 1971.
The protesters hurled bricks, bottles and fireworks at police before the parade arrived. Some cars were set on fire in the North Street area, and shops were damaged.
Police used rubber bullets, water cannon and dogs to control the crowds, which prevented the parade from passing as planned along Royal Avenue - one of the city's main shopping areas, near City Hall. Five of the injured officers needed hospital treatment.
And today Matt Baggott, Chief Constable of the PSNI, said: "I know that 99 per cent, if not more, of the population will stand with me in utterly condemning those who scarred the reputation of our beautiful city last night.
"Those people had no intention of peaceful protest, they lack self respect and they lack dignity."
And so Belfast explodes in violence again, and over the issue of 'parades' again, although this time a 'republican' one. Such a shame, after so much work has been done by so many to try to bring an end to the violence, and to try to get the various communities to live together, that such things are still happening over the traditional flashpoints.