Menu
05/06/2012
Olympic Torch Disrupted in Londonderry
A protest in Londonderry disrupted the Olympic torch relay yesterday, causing the route to be slightly changed.
One man was arrested charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour after minor scuffles.
About 100 people had gathered for a dissident republican protest against police searches.
Nobody was injured.
The torch had to take a detour of about 100 yards before crossing the Peace Bridge, which was built to symbolise a shared future between nationalists and unionists in the city.
Police pushed people back during the scuffle, many of whom were children.
The disruption came after a security alert at the weekend, when an explosive was thrown at police.
It was the first time the torch relay was disrupted since arriving in the UK.
Mark Durkan, SDLP MLA for Foyle, said the re-route was "embarrassing".
He said the occasion had been "marred by the actions of a tiny minority".
And Gregory Campbell, DUP MP for East Londonderry, expressed concern that the incident could threaten next year’s UK City of Culture celebrations.
He said: "It is clear [protestors] are not going to be reasoned with, therefore the response from within their own community must now be swift and unequivocal and the security response to dealing with their efforts will need to be reviewed."
The weather-proof gas torch arrived in Northern Ireland on Sunday and went up the north coast to Londonderry, visiting tourist spots the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge along the way.
Today it travels from the north-west south through Enniskillen, Armagh, Portadown and east to Newry before it visits Dublin tomorrow.
(NE)
One man was arrested charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour after minor scuffles.
About 100 people had gathered for a dissident republican protest against police searches.
Nobody was injured.
The torch had to take a detour of about 100 yards before crossing the Peace Bridge, which was built to symbolise a shared future between nationalists and unionists in the city.
Police pushed people back during the scuffle, many of whom were children.
The disruption came after a security alert at the weekend, when an explosive was thrown at police.
It was the first time the torch relay was disrupted since arriving in the UK.
Mark Durkan, SDLP MLA for Foyle, said the re-route was "embarrassing".
He said the occasion had been "marred by the actions of a tiny minority".
And Gregory Campbell, DUP MP for East Londonderry, expressed concern that the incident could threaten next year’s UK City of Culture celebrations.
He said: "It is clear [protestors] are not going to be reasoned with, therefore the response from within their own community must now be swift and unequivocal and the security response to dealing with their efforts will need to be reviewed."
The weather-proof gas torch arrived in Northern Ireland on Sunday and went up the north coast to Londonderry, visiting tourist spots the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge along the way.
Today it travels from the north-west south through Enniskillen, Armagh, Portadown and east to Newry before it visits Dublin tomorrow.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 December 2024
58 Police Officers Injured In Ramming Attacks
Fifty-eight police officers in Northern Ireland have been injured in deliberate ramming attacks this year, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has revealed. The figure was released following a review of incidents between January and November 2024.
58 Police Officers Injured In Ramming Attacks
Fifty-eight police officers in Northern Ireland have been injured in deliberate ramming attacks this year, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has revealed. The figure was released following a review of incidents between January and November 2024.
22 August 2012
Paralympic Flame Lit In Northern Ireland
The Paralympic Torch has been lit at the top of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. Scouts and mountaineers climbed the County Newcastle hill today to create the National Flame as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
Paralympic Flame Lit In Northern Ireland
The Paralympic Torch has been lit at the top of Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest peak. Scouts and mountaineers climbed the County Newcastle hill today to create the National Flame as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.
18 May 2011
Olympic Torch To Race Round NI
NI will feature among the 74 locations on the 2012 Olympics torch relay route. It will start at Land's End and take a route that covers every nation and region in the UK and includes island visits, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles.
Olympic Torch To Race Round NI
NI will feature among the 74 locations on the 2012 Olympics torch relay route. It will start at Land's End and take a route that covers every nation and region in the UK and includes island visits, will see the Olympic torch travel 8,000 miles.
17 February 2005
PSNI and Garda Síochána take part in Torch Run
Members of the PSNI and Garda Síochána were quick off the blocks today for the start of the 2005 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
PSNI and Garda Síochána take part in Torch Run
Members of the PSNI and Garda Síochána were quick off the blocks today for the start of the 2005 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
13 December 2024
Three Police Officers Injured In Belfast Incident
A 35-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in which three police officers were assaulted in the early hours of this morning, Friday 13 December. The incident occurred around 12:20 AM on Dublin Road. When officers attempted to speak to the driver of a suspicious vehicle, he assaulted them and drove off a short distance.
Three Police Officers Injured In Belfast Incident
A 35-year-old man has been arrested following an incident in which three police officers were assaulted in the early hours of this morning, Friday 13 December. The incident occurred around 12:20 AM on Dublin Road. When officers attempted to speak to the driver of a suspicious vehicle, he assaulted them and drove off a short distance.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A largely dry evening and night. It will be mostly cloudy, but a few clear spells are possible in the east during the evening. Some patchy rain across the west shortly before dawn. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
