Protests Continue Over Union Flag

Protests over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall have continued to cause disruption to traffic, as roads were blocked in Belfast and Carrickfergus last night.

The main Belfast Road in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, was blocked for a short time as over 100 people took part in a peaceful demonstration.

Meanwhile in Belfast some metro bus services were disrupted as protesters gathered at Woodstock Link and Hesketh Park.

Demonstrations have occurred since the nationalist majority at Belfast City Hall agreed to vote in favour of restricting the flying of the union flag.

Previously it had flown 365 days a year, but the vote brings Belfast in line with the rest of the UK with regards to flying the union flag. It will now only be flown on specific days such as the Queen’s Birthday or Remembrance Sunday.

But unionists and loyalists claim the move is an attack on their cultural identity.

Protests have continued over the Christmas period, in many cases causing disruption to trade in the city centre.

Following the vote, there has also been an attempt on a police officer’s life, death threats to Northern Ireland’s politicians and the vandalism of constituency offices.

(IT/GK)