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Short Strand: Police say riot was "orchestrated" by UVF | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A senior police officer has described shots aimed at officers during rioting in east Belfast on Monday night as "attempted murder". | |
Violence erupted at a sectarian interface on the lower Newtownards Road and Mountpottinger Road around 2100 BST. | |
Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum said the trouble was "orchestrated" by the loyalist paramilitary group, the UVF. | |
Two men are being treated in hospital for gun shot wounds. | |
In all 11 shots were fired - six from the nationalist side and five from loyalists. | |
Petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks, stones and smoke bombs were thrown and homes were damaged during the disturbances. | |
Mr McCrum said: "We believe at this point that members of the east Belfast UVF were involved. | |
"It would be a line of investigation to establish whether that was a co-ordinated and organised 'organisational' position (by the UVF leadership). | |
"But at this point we are satisfied that at the very least members of east Belfast UVF were involved in organising the disorder." | |
The senior officer said police officers were far outnumbered | |
The riot in east Belfast was another reminder that Northern Ireland has a peace process but it does not have peace. | |
The number of walls between Protestant and Catholic areas has risen in recent years rather than fallen. | |
Outbreaks of violence are relatively rare these days, but tension in some areas continues to simmer. | |
One night of rioting normally leads to another in Northern Ireland. The challenge facing the police is to stop an isolated problem escalating. | |
Presbyterian Minister, Reverend Mervyn Gibson heard two bursts of gunfire after midnight. | Presbyterian Minister, Reverend Mervyn Gibson heard two bursts of gunfire after midnight. |
"Two young men on the Protestant side were injured, both shot in the legs," he said. | "Two young men on the Protestant side were injured, both shot in the legs," he said. |
"I was with them both and helped others to arrange to get them to hospital. | "I was with them both and helped others to arrange to get them to hospital. |
"It really was a serious scene. I haven't seen trouble like this for maybe 10 years in the area." | "It really was a serious scene. I haven't seen trouble like this for maybe 10 years in the area." |
Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey was also on the ground during the disturbances. | Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey was also on the ground during the disturbances. |
"The PSNI told me that they had injured people with plastic bullets on the loyalist side, people who were clearly the aggressors. I have no idea who else was injured," he said. | "The PSNI told me that they had injured people with plastic bullets on the loyalist side, people who were clearly the aggressors. I have no idea who else was injured," he said. |
Mr Maskey claimed members of the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) took part in the attack on the Short Strand. | Mr Maskey claimed members of the loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) took part in the attack on the Short Strand. |
UVF attack | UVF attack |
"I am very clear in what I am saying," he said. | "I am very clear in what I am saying," he said. |
"I am making a very serious statement and as far as people in the Short Strand are concerned, the UVF launched an attack on the Catholic community in this area. I think it's absolutely disgraceful." | "I am making a very serious statement and as far as people in the Short Strand are concerned, the UVF launched an attack on the Catholic community in this area. I think it's absolutely disgraceful." |
Police came under attack trying to restore order. | Police came under attack trying to restore order. |
Laser pens were used to try and 'blind' police. One officer was treated for an eye injury in hospital. | Laser pens were used to try and 'blind' police. One officer was treated for an eye injury in hospital. |
Police said they are also investigating a report of an attempted hijacking of a bus. | Police said they are also investigating a report of an attempted hijacking of a bus. |
The PSNI said between 400 to 500 people were involved in the disorder. | The PSNI said between 400 to 500 people were involved in the disorder. |
Were you in the area? Did you witness the disturbances? Send us your comments using the form below: | Were you in the area? Did you witness the disturbances? Send us your comments using the form below: |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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