Police Fire Plastic Bullets During Flag Violence

Plastic bullets have been fired by police in a fifth night of violence over the flying of the union flag which shows little sign of abating.

The PSNI has confirmed weapons including hatchets and sledge hammers were used by protesters against police officers and their vehicles on the Newtownards Road.

Disorder broke out close to the nationalist area of Short Strand when loyalists were returning from a protest at Belfast City Hall.

The Council was holding its first meeting since the decision to restrict the flying of the flag, however the issue was not on the agenda.

Many unionists and loyalists have been protesting since Belfast City Council voted to remove the union flag from the top of City Hall on 3 December and only fly it on designated days.

The nationalist majority on the Council had initially proposed removing the flag altogether, but eventually sided with an Alliance compromise.

Eight arrests were made last night, bringing the total to 104 since the protests began.

Three PSNI officers were injured, bring the total now to 62.

The protests have been described as largely peaceful, however violence has become a prominent and even inevitable outcome of the gatherings.

The trouble began when about 250 protesters passed the Short Strand area on their return from the protests. They are reported to have been attacked by about 70 nationalists as they made their way back to east Belfast.

Five plastic bullets were fired. Police also used water cannon to disperse the crowds.

(IT)