Northern Ireland rocked by loyalist rioting

Widespread loyalist rioting broke out in Northern Ireland over the weekend leaving several police officers injured.

A hijacked bus was used to ram a police vehicle and petrol bombs and other missiles were hurled by a crowd of up to 100 loyalists in Ballyclare, Co Antrim. Officers responded with water cannon and baton rounds.

A man aged 27 was arrested for riotous behaviour in the Co Londonderry town of Magherafelt and homes were attacked.

Police were targeted with missiles as they tried to remove barricades placed across a road close to a bonfire site.

Several vehicles were also hijacked in the nearby areas of Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey overnight into the early hours of yesterday. Calm was restored later in the morning.

Loyalists in Co Antrim have been protesting after accusing police of removing flags. This is the traditional marching season for the Orange Order and many Protestant districts are flying flags and bunting.

Nationalist SDLP MLA Conall McDevitt said there had been a significant escalation in the flying of paramilitary flags across Northern Ireland this summer.

"This has caused considerable distress in communities on both sides of the divide," he said.

"The police cannot fix the problem of flags long-term, but it must be fixed politically and with real leadership from the top.

"It is with deep regret that for the past five years Sinn Fein and the DUP have failed to progress the establishment of a meaningful flags protocol, which would control the flying of flags, particularly in contentious situations."

On Saturday morning, Orange bunting was removed in Clogher, Co Tyrone.

Lord (Maurice) Morrow said: "Those who removed the bunting do not represent the people of Clogher. They are attempting to introduce tension into a situation where no tension previously existed.

"Clogher is a peaceful rural town where both communities live side by side. Those who carried out this act of vandalism are filled with sectarian motives and want to drag our community backwards.

"Whilst some may disagree with the Orange Order they should have the decency to respect the culture of their Protestant neighbours."

The Rev Noel Treanor, Catholic bishop of Down and Connor, appealed for respect for people's common dignity and future during the marching season.

"Nobody wants these destructive acts, not least of all local residents," he said. "They endanger life, hurt us all and damage hope for the future.

"This violence wrecks our tomorrow. It robs our children of future jobs and opportunities."

He asked those attending parades or protests to avoid committing acts of provocation.

"I call on all leaders, groups and organisers to ensure that events are not manipulated by destructive influences from outside the communities where parades take place," he added.

The chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Brian Rea, condemned those responsible for the disturbances.

"The violence in these areas is worrying, and this morning communities have literally been left picking up the pieces. Our officers have once again come under attack but thankfully injuries are not serious," he said.

"I join with other political and community representatives in calling for calm over the next few days. Further disorder is in no-one's interest."