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Nine police officers injured in Belfast street violence
14.07.09
North Belfast was picking up the pieces today after the worst night of violence for years.
Nine officers were injured and a live round was fired at them after a confrontation with dissident republicans in Ardoyne.
Petrol bombs, fireworks, stones and bottles were hurled at police and water cannons and baton rounds used to fend off attackers.
Two vans were hijacked and pushed at police lines.
Crowds gathered ahead of the return parade by Orangemen from their July 12 demonstrations.
Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly blamed the Real IRA for the trouble.
"This evening's actions expose very clearly the anti-peace process and sectarian agenda which feeds these factions. It has nothing whatever to do with Irish republicanism," he said.
Police fired 18 attenuating energy projectile (AEP) rounds.
In Londonderry there were minor disturbances and there has also been trouble in Rasharkin, County Antrim and Armagh.
Police assistant chief constable Alistair Finlay said: "They displayed the worst possible face of Northern Ireland - a face of bigotry, sectarianism and intolerance that is not representative of the vast majority of people who have moved on and embraced a peaceful future."
In Rasharkin, officers sustained minor injuries when they were struck by stones and bricks by youths in the village.
Petrol bombs were hurled. One man was arrested.
There were disturbances during the return leg of the Twelfth parade in Londonderry and minor trouble in the Butcher's Gate area where one policeman sustained a slight injury.
Police came under attack with petrol bombs and paint during disturbances in Armagh following a security alert at Friary Road in which a minor explosion occurred.
Four people have been arrested for public order offences following a number of minor disturbances.
At least two cars were also stolen and set alight on Friary Road.
