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04/01/2013
Police Officers Injured In Flag Protests
Ten officers have been injured following another night of rioting and violence over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
Crowds threw petrol bombs and missiles after a peaceful protest turned violent at about 18:30 on Thursday on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast.
A car was also burnt out on Templemore Avenue.
A 23-year-old has been charged with rioting and is due to appear in Belfast Magistrates Court later.
A 16-year-old is to appear at a juvenile court later this month.
Police said the crowd involved in the violence was about 100 strong.
Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton was speaking on BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme when he explained: "It was initiated by the loyalist protesters and unfortunately for a number of weeks now we have been trying to facilitate lawful protest and we have been trying to do that in a proportionate and a graduated way.
"This sort of disorder last night is completely despicable and what we have seen is ten police officers injured this morning."
Protests have been taking place in loyalist and unionist communities following the decision on 3 December 2012 to restrict the flying of the union flag above Belfast City Hall.
Previously, it had flown all year round, but nationalists at Belfast City Council agreed to back an Alliance Party motion to bring the flying of the flag in line with the rest of the UK.
It will now only fly on designated days such as the Queen’s Birthday and Remembrance Sunday.
Since the protests began, several politicians across the party spectrum have received death threats and suffered attacks on their constituency offices.
The PSNI are also investigating the attempted murder of a police officer, who was sitting in a car when a gang of men smashed windows and threw a lit petrol bomb inside.
(IT)
Crowds threw petrol bombs and missiles after a peaceful protest turned violent at about 18:30 on Thursday on the Albertbridge Road in east Belfast.
A car was also burnt out on Templemore Avenue.
A 23-year-old has been charged with rioting and is due to appear in Belfast Magistrates Court later.
A 16-year-old is to appear at a juvenile court later this month.
Police said the crowd involved in the violence was about 100 strong.
Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton was speaking on BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme when he explained: "It was initiated by the loyalist protesters and unfortunately for a number of weeks now we have been trying to facilitate lawful protest and we have been trying to do that in a proportionate and a graduated way.
"This sort of disorder last night is completely despicable and what we have seen is ten police officers injured this morning."
Protests have been taking place in loyalist and unionist communities following the decision on 3 December 2012 to restrict the flying of the union flag above Belfast City Hall.
Previously, it had flown all year round, but nationalists at Belfast City Council agreed to back an Alliance Party motion to bring the flying of the flag in line with the rest of the UK.
It will now only fly on designated days such as the Queen’s Birthday and Remembrance Sunday.
Since the protests began, several politicians across the party spectrum have received death threats and suffered attacks on their constituency offices.
The PSNI are also investigating the attempted murder of a police officer, who was sitting in a car when a gang of men smashed windows and threw a lit petrol bomb inside.
(IT)
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20 February 2013
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North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
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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.
05 February 2013
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
03 January 2013
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.
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.
27 February 2013
Loyalists Arrested Over Flag Protests
Leading members of the loyalist union flag protests in Belfast have been taken into custody. Spokesmen for the Ulster People's Forum Jamie Bryson, 23, and Willie Frazer, 52, were arrested earlier. They are being questioned over organising and participating in unlawful parades.
Loyalists Arrested Over Flag Protests
Leading members of the loyalist union flag protests in Belfast have been taken into custody. Spokesmen for the Ulster People's Forum Jamie Bryson, 23, and Willie Frazer, 52, were arrested earlier. They are being questioned over organising and participating in unlawful parades.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
