16 police officers injured in second night of violence in Belfast

[News_Editor]

16 police officers injured in second night of violence in Belfast

2011-07-14 00:11:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND (BNO NEWS) -- At least 16 police officers were injured on Wednesday as riots erupted for the second successive night in Northern Ireland following parades by the Protestant Orange Order, police said.

Tens of thousands of members of the Protestant Orange Order took to the streets of Belfast to mark the July 12th anniversary of a Protestant victory over Catholics in 1690. According to the Belfast Telegraph, fourteen people were arrested in the Catholic Ardoyne area of north Belfast. A further 12 people were detained in connection with rioting in Londonderry.

On Tuesday night, protesters hurled petrol bombs, bricks, bottles and fireworks at officers and cars were set alight in the Ardoyne, which has a history of sectarian clashes. Riot police fired around 55 baton rounds and high-powered water cannon at almost 300 protesters, mainly young people. Some officers were set alight briefly when hit by petrol bombs and targeted by lasers, while a local photographer was hit by a baton round.

"It is hugely regrettable that we get to this situation each year. There are a large number of people across community groups, government and faith groups doing a huge amount to reduce the impact and change things for the better. We all need to redouble these efforts and sustain them to get a real and meaningful change for residents of these areas. That is the very least they need and deserve," Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said.

Riots were also reported in Londonderry, Armagh City and Antrim.

It was the second successive night police were targeted, with 22 officers injured when violence broke out on Monday night in the nationalist areas of Broadway, Old Park and North Queen Street in the west of Belfast. According to police, dissident republican organizations are responsible for the upsurge in street violence.

Last month, violent clashes broke out between loyalists, republicans, and security forces. According to reports, the loyalist paramilitary group Ulster Volunteer Force was behind the violent riots.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-07-14