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/8385477.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| PSNI quizzed on trouble response | PSNI quizzed on trouble response |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Policing Board chairman Barry Gilligan is to ask the police about its handling of an illegal loyalist protest which led to trouble in Portadown. | Policing Board chairman Barry Gilligan is to ask the police about its handling of an illegal loyalist protest which led to trouble in Portadown. |
| A large crowd gathered on Sunday shortly after midnight in the Mandeville Street and West Street area. | 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. | Ten officers sustained minor injuries and a number of vehicles were damaged. |
| Local SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said plans were known for weeks and it should have been stopped. The police said appropriate resources were in place. | Local SDLP MLA Dolores Kelly said plans were known for weeks and it should have been stopped. The police said appropriate resources were in place. |
| The trouble, said by police to be sporadic, lasted for about three hours. | 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. | 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. |
| Text messages | Text messages |
| Mrs Kelly said a "carefully-orchestrated loyalist mob" was behind the trouble. | Mrs Kelly said a "carefully-orchestrated loyalist mob" was behind the trouble. |
| "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," she 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," she said. |
| "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. | "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." | "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." |
| 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". | 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". |
| 'Abhorrent' | |
| It is understood that the text messages began after a pub owner refused entry to a number of drunk people on Remembrance Sunday. | |
| The people who were barred wrongly believed it was because they were wearing poppies. | |
| 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. | 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." | "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. | 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". | She said police were "working with the public and community representatives to resolve the situation". |