This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20998867

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Loyalists and nationalists clash after Belfast flags protest Loyalists and nationalists clash after Belfast flags protest
(35 minutes later)
Loyalist flags protesters and nationalists have clashed near Belfast city centre on Saturday. Loyalist flags protesters and nationalists have clashed near Belfast city centre on Saturday afternoon.
It happened as protesters returned from a demonstration at city hall against the council's decision to limit the number of days the union flag is flown. It happened as protesters returned from a demonstration at city hall, against the council's decision to limit the number of days the union flag is flown.
Rocks and fireworks were thrown at the Albertbridge Road near the nationalist Short Strand area. Riot police fired at least one plastic bullet.Rocks and fireworks were thrown at the Albertbridge Road near the nationalist Short Strand area. Riot police fired at least one plastic bullet.
They have moved in to separate the crowds but the trouble is continuing.They have moved in to separate the crowds but the trouble is continuing.
Police have brought in two water cannon to the area.Police have brought in two water cannon to the area.
Earlier, nearly 1,000 people gathered at Belfast City Hall to protest. Some roads in the city centre have been closed and police are advising motorists to avoid the area. Earlier, nearly 1,000 people gathered at Belfast City Hall to protest.
In overnight violence linked to the flag protests, four police officers were injured in Northern Ireland. Police fired five plastic bullets as rioters threw more than 30 petrol bombs. The most serious violence took place in parts of County Antrim. Loyalist street demonstrations have taken place for almost six weeks, since href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20587538" >Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December.
A crowd of more than 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus. Fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used to attack police in Newtownabbey and a bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate. A pipe bomb was found on the Westlink, Belfast's busiest road. The council, which now has a nationalist majority, voted to fly the flag at Belfast City Hall on a number of designated days, as opposed to every day of the year.
Loyalist street protests have taken place for almost six weeks, since href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20587538" >Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December. The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.
The council, which now has a nationalist majority, voted to fly the flag at Belfast City Hall on a number of designated days, as opposed to every day of the year. The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting. On Friday night, four police officers were injured during union flag protests in Northern Ireland.
Dozens of police officers have been injured in almost 40 days of protests and more than 100 people have been arrested. The most serious violence took place outside Belfast - in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus in County Antrim.
On Friday night, two arrests were made. Of the four police officers who were injured, one required hospital treatment. Officers fired five plastic bullets as rioters threw more than 30 petrol bombs.
Fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used to attack police in Newtownabbey and a bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate.
A crowd of more than 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus.
Two arrests were made and of the four police officers who were injured, one required hospital treatment.
Dozens of police officers have been injured in 40 days of protests and more than 100 people have been arrested.
Friday's protests - most of which passed without violence - took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry.Friday's protests - most of which passed without violence - took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry.
However, in County Antrim, police used water cannon during trouble on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and also in Newtownabbey, where a PSNI Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb.However, in County Antrim, police used water cannon during trouble on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and also in Newtownabbey, where a PSNI Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb.
In Rathcoole in Newtownabbey, a distressed pensioner pleaded with protesters to let him pass through a road block so he could make his way to visit his seriously ill wife in hospital.In Rathcoole in Newtownabbey, a distressed pensioner pleaded with protesters to let him pass through a road block so he could make his way to visit his seriously ill wife in hospital.
The protesters jeered at the elderly man and refused to let him through.The protesters jeered at the elderly man and refused to let him through.
Are you involved in the protests? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you involved in the protests? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your experiences using the form below.