Menu
15/01/2013
Bus Driver Injured In Flag Violence
A bus driver has been injured in another night of flag-related violence in Belfast.
Translink ceased all metro services to and from east Belfast early yesterday evening, following reports that one of their staff had been attacked on the Newtownards Road at about 19:30.
The bus was attacked by people throwing stones and it is understood the driver was taken to hospital with cuts to his face.
There were two reported bus-hijackings yesterday following violent protests over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
Police were yet again called to dissipate the violence when a Catholic Church in the Short Strand area came under fire as protesters threw stones bottles and petrol bombs.
One police officer was injured during the attack on St Matthew’s church.
A senior loyalist in east Belfast told the BBC he believes the violence was started by rioters from the loyalist community.
Jim Wilson said he saw a crowd of masked loyalist youths throwing bricks and bottles from the Newtownards Road and that, when police arrived, they too came under fire.
Mr Wilson said a large crowd of nationalists from the Short Strand area then arrived at the interface and targeted houses on the loyalist side in retaliation.
Sinn Féin East Belfast Representative Niall O’Donnghaile said a Special Needs group was forced to flee from St. Matthews Parochial Hall in a "blatant, well planned and organised sectarian attack".
"Tonight’s attack has comes after the stone throwing on Saturday and wholesale intimidation of this community over the past five weeks. It is unacceptable and we need to hear unequivocal condemnation from local unionist leaders, not the sort of excuses for violence we have had to listen to in recent weeks," he said.
There were also a number of peaceful loyalist protests last night, but police say two men aged 26 and 70 have been arrested following a protest in Belfast's Great Victoria Street.
A 16-year-old boy is also understood to have been detained by the PSNI following a flag demonstration in Ballymena.
Loyalists have been demonstrating since Belfast city Council voted to restrict the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall on 3 December.
(IT)
Translink ceased all metro services to and from east Belfast early yesterday evening, following reports that one of their staff had been attacked on the Newtownards Road at about 19:30.
The bus was attacked by people throwing stones and it is understood the driver was taken to hospital with cuts to his face.
There were two reported bus-hijackings yesterday following violent protests over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
Police were yet again called to dissipate the violence when a Catholic Church in the Short Strand area came under fire as protesters threw stones bottles and petrol bombs.
One police officer was injured during the attack on St Matthew’s church.
A senior loyalist in east Belfast told the BBC he believes the violence was started by rioters from the loyalist community.
Jim Wilson said he saw a crowd of masked loyalist youths throwing bricks and bottles from the Newtownards Road and that, when police arrived, they too came under fire.
Mr Wilson said a large crowd of nationalists from the Short Strand area then arrived at the interface and targeted houses on the loyalist side in retaliation.
Sinn Féin East Belfast Representative Niall O’Donnghaile said a Special Needs group was forced to flee from St. Matthews Parochial Hall in a "blatant, well planned and organised sectarian attack".
"Tonight’s attack has comes after the stone throwing on Saturday and wholesale intimidation of this community over the past five weeks. It is unacceptable and we need to hear unequivocal condemnation from local unionist leaders, not the sort of excuses for violence we have had to listen to in recent weeks," he said.
There were also a number of peaceful loyalist protests last night, but police say two men aged 26 and 70 have been arrested following a protest in Belfast's Great Victoria Street.
A 16-year-old boy is also understood to have been detained by the PSNI following a flag demonstration in Ballymena.
Loyalists have been demonstrating since Belfast city Council voted to restrict the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall on 3 December.
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 August 2005
PSNI failing to tackle loyalist violence claims Kelly
Sinn Féin spokesperson on policing Gerry Kelly has accused the PSNI of "abjectly" failing to tackle ongoing loyalist paramilitary activity. Mr Kelly's remarks follows numerous attacks on catholic homes and schools in recent weeks, especially in areas such as north Antrim and north Belfast.
PSNI failing to tackle loyalist violence claims Kelly
Sinn Féin spokesperson on policing Gerry Kelly has accused the PSNI of "abjectly" failing to tackle ongoing loyalist paramilitary activity. Mr Kelly's remarks follows numerous attacks on catholic homes and schools in recent weeks, especially in areas such as north Antrim and north Belfast.
04 April 2002
Police blame paramilitaries for north Belfast violence
Loyalist paramilitaries are being blamed by police for orchestrating a night of violence against the security forces in north Belfast. The Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the Ulster Defence Association had organised a heavy and highly violent attack on police personnel on Wednesday evening.
Police blame paramilitaries for north Belfast violence
Loyalist paramilitaries are being blamed by police for orchestrating a night of violence against the security forces in north Belfast. The Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said the Ulster Defence Association had organised a heavy and highly violent attack on police personnel on Wednesday evening.
05 September 2012
North Belfast Riots Condemned, Politicians Seek Solution
Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister have condemned those involved in a third night of violence in north Belfast, as MLAs and the MP from the area planned to sit down to talks. One police officers were injured last night in an hour of violence at about 10pm.
North Belfast Riots Condemned, Politicians Seek Solution
Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister have condemned those involved in a third night of violence in north Belfast, as MLAs and the MP from the area planned to sit down to talks. One police officers were injured last night in an hour of violence at about 10pm.
03 January 2017
Man Seriously Attacked In South Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously attacked in south Belfast. The assault occurred at a property in the Wauchope Court area on New Year's Eve. The man, aged in his 20s, is being treated in hospital. Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
Man Seriously Attacked In South Belfast
Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously attacked in south Belfast. The assault occurred at a property in the Wauchope Court area on New Year's Eve. The man, aged in his 20s, is being treated in hospital. Detectives are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.
11 February 2002
Police make arrests following street violence in North Belfast
Two people were arrested in North Belfast on Monday morning as minor street violence erupted following a weekend of tension. Disturbances in the Arthur Bridge area of the Whitewell Road on February 11 followed reports that fireworks had been thrown from the White City area towards the Longlands housing estate.
Police make arrests following street violence in North Belfast
Two people were arrested in North Belfast on Monday morning as minor street violence erupted following a weekend of tension. Disturbances in the Arthur Bridge area of the Whitewell Road on February 11 followed reports that fireworks had been thrown from the White City area towards the Longlands housing estate.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
