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Union flag dispute: Trouble flares at Short Strand interface after protest Union flag dispute: Trouble flares at Short Strand interface after protest
(35 minutes later)
A number of petrol bombs have been thrown at a sectarian interface in east Belfast, following a loyalist street protest over the union flag.A number of petrol bombs have been thrown at a sectarian interface in east Belfast, following a loyalist street protest over the union flag.
It happened in the nationalist Short Strand area on Monday evening.It happened in the nationalist Short Strand area on Monday evening.
William Ward, a worker at St Matthew's Catholic church, said petrol bombs, stones and bottles were thrown at homes and buildings close to the church.William Ward, a worker at St Matthew's Catholic church, said petrol bombs, stones and bottles were thrown at homes and buildings close to the church.
A group of children with special needs and their carers were forced to flee the church hall when the trouble began.A group of children with special needs and their carers were forced to flee the church hall when the trouble began.
Driver injured
Police have said they are dealing with disorder on the nearby Newtownards Road. It has been closed between Templemore Avenue and Bridge End.Police have said they are dealing with disorder on the nearby Newtownards Road. It has been closed between Templemore Avenue and Bridge End.
The public transport provider, Translink, said there were two attempts to hijack buses in the east of the city and one of their bus drivers has been injured.The public transport provider, Translink, said there were two attempts to hijack buses in the east of the city and one of their bus drivers has been injured.
He was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts to his face. The company has suspended all of its metro bus services in east Belfast.He was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts to his face. The company has suspended all of its metro bus services in east Belfast.
Mr Ward, who works at St Matthew's church on Bryson Street, said church workers had to evacuate their parochial hall when the trouble began shortly before 20:00 GMT.Mr Ward, who works at St Matthew's church on Bryson Street, said church workers had to evacuate their parochial hall when the trouble began shortly before 20:00 GMT.
'Very frightening'
At the time, the hall was hosting a social event for children with special needs and their carers.At the time, the hall was hosting a social event for children with special needs and their carers.
"It was very frightening, very scary for the children and a lot of our people had to come and make sure the church was kept safe and we managed to get the children out safely," Mr Ward said."It was very frightening, very scary for the children and a lot of our people had to come and make sure the church was kept safe and we managed to get the children out safely," Mr Ward said.
Sinn Fein has claimed that homes on Strand Walk in the Short Strand came under petrol bomb attack by a crowd of union flag protesters who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.Sinn Fein has claimed that homes on Strand Walk in the Short Strand came under petrol bomb attack by a crowd of union flag protesters who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.
Niall O'Donnaighaile, who represents Sinn Fein on Belfast City Council, said he was in the area at the time along with "other community leaders, trying to maintain calm within the Short Strand".Niall O'Donnaighaile, who represents Sinn Fein on Belfast City Council, said he was in the area at the time along with "other community leaders, trying to maintain calm within the Short Strand".
He claimed it was a "blatant, well planned and organised sectarian attack" on the Catholic community by loyalist protesters.He claimed it was a "blatant, well planned and organised sectarian attack" on the Catholic community by loyalist protesters.
'Masked loyalists'
A senior loyalist in east Belfast has told the BBC that he believes youths from his community were responsible for starting the violence by attacking homes in the nationalist area on Monday night.A senior loyalist in east Belfast has told the BBC that he believes youths from his community were responsible for starting the violence by attacking homes in the nationalist area on Monday night.
Jim Wilson, a community worker in the area, said he witnessed a crowd of masked loyalist youths throwing bricks and bottles from the Newtownards Road.Jim Wilson, a community worker in the area, said he witnessed a crowd of masked loyalist youths throwing bricks and bottles from the Newtownards Road.
He said that when police arrived, the youths threw "30 or 40 petrol bombs" at PSNI vehicles, three of which caught fire.He said that when police arrived, the youths threw "30 or 40 petrol bombs" at PSNI vehicles, three of which caught fire.
Mr Wilson said a crowd of up to 300 nationalists gathered at the interface after the first missiles were thrown and he claimed houses on the loyalist side were also targeted in retaliatory attacks.Mr Wilson said a crowd of up to 300 nationalists gathered at the interface after the first missiles were thrown and he claimed houses on the loyalist side were also targeted in retaliatory attacks.
The community worker he was "frustrated" and "dismayed" by the continuing violence.The community worker he was "frustrated" and "dismayed" by the continuing violence.
Arrests
At the weekend, 29 police officers were injured in rioting at the same interface, after a "breakaway crowd" of loyalist protesters marched past the Short Strand on their return from a city centre protest.At the weekend, 29 police officers were injured in rioting at the same interface, after a "breakaway crowd" of loyalist protesters marched past the Short Strand on their return from a city centre protest.
Earlier on Monday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, said people who were organising riots were leading young people "by the nose towards prison".Earlier on Monday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable, Matt Baggott, said people who were organising riots were leading young people "by the nose towards prison".
Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for exactly six weeks, since Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for exactly six weeks, since Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.
The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.
Since the vote was passed on 3 December, 101 police officers have been injured and there have been 112 arrests.Since the vote was passed on 3 December, 101 police officers have been injured and there have been 112 arrests.