Tensions continue to simmer in north Belfast

Rival nationalist and loyalist gangs have clashed again in north Belfast as tensions in the flashpoint area continue to spill over into street violence.

The police said the mobs attacked each other at North Queen Street and Duncairn Gardens interface, and there were unconfirmed reports that a blast bomb had been thrown around 11pm on Monday, October 1.

The trouble on Monday night followed moves by Northern Ireland’s acting first and deputy first ministers who visited the flashpoint area to try and address the Holy Cross school dispute in Ardoyne.

On Monday, Ulster Unionist Sir Reg Empey and Seamus Mallon of the SDLP met north Belfast political representatives to try to see how the underlying tensions in the community could be resolved.

Sir Reg said: “The Executive has been working behind the scenes since early August in north Belfast. The security issues are of concern, but there is a need to look at the wider difficulties facing north Belfast, many of which have their roots in social and economic conditions.

“We, as an Executive, will work to establish a mechanism to tackle many of the social and economic issues, to create an overall solution over time to the difficulties faced in this area. There are those who want to spread misery and fear in the streets of north Belfast. We are determined to ensure that the people of this area are able to resolve their differences without the threat of violence or intimidation.”

During recent weeks, the police have said rioting by loyalists and nationalists in north Belfast has been the most ferocious in nearly 20 years.

Police have come under almost nightly attack from loyalist and republican gunmen firing automatic weapons and throwing blast, paint and petrol bombs. (AMcE)