Westlink Closed Off As PSNI Attacked

Part of the main route through Belfast was closed off at the weekend as sectarian violence erupted across a main motorway junction.

The Westlink from the M1 - part of the main route for travellers from the southern part of NI and the Irish Republic - was affected in the two nights of trouble, which intensified on Saturday night.

Six police officers were injured during the riots involving up to 100 people in the Broadway and Bog Meadows areas of south and west Belfast for a second night of orchestrated violence.

Officers were attacked by nationalists after large crowds gathered at the Broadway roundabout at 8.30pm when stones, fireworks, paint and petrol bombs were thrown and a number of Land Rovers were attacked by men using sign posts, masonry and, in one case, an axe.

Several officers were hit with missiles, while one was hit with an iron bar. Police fired baton rounds in response.

"The violence was orchestrated," Chief Inspector Emma Mooney said of Saturday's events. "We very much believe that that preparation obviously shows a degree of orchestration, but as to who is actually behind it we haven't as yet been able to determine that," she said on Sunday.

Condemning the trouble in Belfast over the weekend, Acting Chairman of the NI Policing Board Brian Rea said: "I strongly condemn these attacks against police officers who were doing their job to keep the peace and protect the public.

"This kind of violence on our streets brings nothing but disruption to ordinary people and destruction to property, and diverts police resources away from much needed areas.

"Those behind these attacks are achieving nothing and I would urge the public to help the police in identifying anyone involved in this senseless violence."

Initially, the police responded to reports of large crowds gathering in the area of the Broadway roundabout and then came under sustained attack.

A number of gas cylinders were also thrown into the road and a car was set alight during the disturbances.

Police were forced to close the Stockman's Lane off slip and the Westlink at Clifton Street at around 11.40pm due to the danger of thrown items landing on the carriageway or striking passing vehicles.

Several plastic bullets were fired by police and a local fast food restaurant was broken into by the rioters and significant damage was caused, although two tills from the premises were later recovered.

It's believed a number of the rioters may have come from outside the local area and police are appealing for the public's help in identifying all of the individuals involved.

Meanwhile, the police also came under attack as they carried out an inquiry at a bar in Londonderry on Saturday.

One officer was injured when bottles and glasses were thrown at their vehicle in the Strabane Old Road area of the city at about 5.45pm.

His injuries are not believed to be serious and no damage was caused to the vehicle during the attack.

(BMcC/KMcA)