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05/12/2012
NI Secretary Condemns Flag Riot
Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has condemned the "scenes of disorder" at Belfast City Hall on Monday night following the vote on the flying of the union flag.
Ms Villiers told MPs "there is nothing that could possibly justify" the violence, and said decisions should be made "on the basis of sound, reasoned discussions and democratic vote, not as a result of mobs seeking to beat down the door of City Hall."
15 police officers, two council security guards and a press photographer were injured when loyalists attempted to force their way into City Hall.
A vote on Monday night means the flag will now be removed from City Hall and only flown on 17 designated days throughout the year. This puts it in line with Stormont.
Nationalists initially called for the removal of the flag completely, but a proposal by the Alliance Party that it be flown on 17 designated days throughout the year was agreed on instead.
Ms Villiers said: "I fully appreciate the strength of feeling on the flying of flags, but there is nothing that could possibly justify the scenes of disorder that were witnessed outside City Hall in Belfast earlier this week. Yes, there are serious and significant sensitivities about flag flying, but these decisions must be taken on the basis of sound, reasoned discussions and democratic vote, not as a result of mobs seeking to beat down the door of City Hall."
But Conservative Gareth Johnson asked: "Northern Ireland is as much part of the United Kingdom as Dartford is, so does the Secretary of State share my deep disappointment that the Union flag will not fly continuously over Belfast City Hall and does she agree with the principle that no law should prevent the Union flag flying anywhere in the UK?"
Meanwhile, Belfast City Council has announced it will consider paying for damages caused to councillors' cars during the riot.
A boy aged 17 and a man aged 22 have been released on bail following their arrest in connection with the disorder.
(IT)
Ms Villiers told MPs "there is nothing that could possibly justify" the violence, and said decisions should be made "on the basis of sound, reasoned discussions and democratic vote, not as a result of mobs seeking to beat down the door of City Hall."
15 police officers, two council security guards and a press photographer were injured when loyalists attempted to force their way into City Hall.
A vote on Monday night means the flag will now be removed from City Hall and only flown on 17 designated days throughout the year. This puts it in line with Stormont.
Nationalists initially called for the removal of the flag completely, but a proposal by the Alliance Party that it be flown on 17 designated days throughout the year was agreed on instead.
Ms Villiers said: "I fully appreciate the strength of feeling on the flying of flags, but there is nothing that could possibly justify the scenes of disorder that were witnessed outside City Hall in Belfast earlier this week. Yes, there are serious and significant sensitivities about flag flying, but these decisions must be taken on the basis of sound, reasoned discussions and democratic vote, not as a result of mobs seeking to beat down the door of City Hall."
But Conservative Gareth Johnson asked: "Northern Ireland is as much part of the United Kingdom as Dartford is, so does the Secretary of State share my deep disappointment that the Union flag will not fly continuously over Belfast City Hall and does she agree with the principle that no law should prevent the Union flag flying anywhere in the UK?"
Meanwhile, Belfast City Council has announced it will consider paying for damages caused to councillors' cars during the riot.
A boy aged 17 and a man aged 22 have been released on bail following their arrest in connection with the disorder.
(IT)
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Assembly Session Held Over Flag Violence
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06 March 2013
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
14 January 2013
Flag Violence Is 'Wrong' - UDA Man
Loyalist rioters who are violently protesting the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall are destroying their own communities and playing into Sinn Féin's hands. This was the message from Jimmy Birch, a UDA man from east Belfast who was speaking to the BBC as part of a Radio Ulster documentary called 'Inside The Flag Protests'.
Flag Violence Is 'Wrong' - UDA Man
Loyalist rioters who are violently protesting the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall are destroying their own communities and playing into Sinn Féin's hands. This was the message from Jimmy Birch, a UDA man from east Belfast who was speaking to the BBC as part of a Radio Ulster documentary called 'Inside The Flag Protests'.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Another mild night, it will remain largely cloudy through the evening and overnight. Staying mainly dry but perhaps a little drizzle towards Down and Antrim. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
