This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8385187.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| 'Loyalist mob' blamed for trouble | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Disturbances in Portadown in which police were attacked have been blamed on a "carefully-orchestrated loyalist mob" by an SDLP Policing Board member. | |
| A large crowd gathered on Sunday shortly after midnight in the Mandeville Street and West Street area. | |
| Ten officers sustained minor injuries and a number of vehicles were damaged. | |
| Dolores Kelly said plans for a "show of force" were reported in the Irish News weeks ago. A police spokeswoman said appropriate resources were in place. | |
| The trouble, said by police to be sporadic, lasted for about three hours. | |
| A 19-year-old man is to appear in court next month charged with assault on police and public order offences, while a 31-year-old was released pending further inquiries. | |
| 'Provocative' | |
| Mrs Kelly said: "Two weeks ago we warned that texts were circulating calling on all loyalists to gather for a show of force in the centre of the town at pub closing time. | |
| "This was incredibly stupid, incredibly provocative and the purpose was made absolutely clear in the texts which we forwarded to the media - to intimidate nationalists and lay claim to ownership of the town centre." | |
| "As far as I have heard the police were prepared and were able to move the mob back and generally control the situation. But the fundamental point is that a very substantial group of people are determined to deny access to the town centre for all." | |
| She said she had called for an investigation into the police's handling of the incident. | |
| The Irish News reported on 19 November that text messages were circulating urging loyalists to gather on a given weekend night "to show republicans that we will not tolerate their behaviour or presence in our area". | |
| Garvaghy Road Residents Coalition spokesman Breandan Mac Cionnaith said: "By permitting this intimidatory mob to assemble last night in the first place, the PSNI ensured a clear message was sent out signalling that Portadown town centre is not a welcome or safe place at night for Catholics or nationalists. | |
| "That is totally and completely objectionable and abhorrent and cannot be justified under any circumstances." | |
| A police spokeswoman said they were aware of the text messages being circulated and appropriate resources had been put in place to deal with the illegal gathering. | |
| She said police were "working with the public and community representatives to resolve the situation". |