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-21044017

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Union flag dispute: McGuinness wants more from political leaders Union flag dispute: McGuinness wants more from political leaders
(35 minutes later)
Northern Ireland's deputy first minister has said more is needed from political leaders to end violent protests around the union flag issue.Northern Ireland's deputy first minister has said more is needed from political leaders to end violent protests around the union flag issue.
Martin McGuinness was speaking on a visit to the Short Strand area of east Belfast.Martin McGuinness was speaking on a visit to the Short Strand area of east Belfast.
He said political leaders needed to stand "shoulder to shoulder".He said political leaders needed to stand "shoulder to shoulder".
Mr McGuiness also said police and the courts needed to deal with "lawbreakers". A total of 101 police officers have been injured in riots.Mr McGuiness also said police and the courts needed to deal with "lawbreakers". A total of 101 police officers have been injured in riots.
"This is an occasion where we do need to be seen to be standing together - not just Peter Robinson and myself - but all the political leaders in the assembly need to be speaking with one voice and making it absolutely clear that we are not going to bow the knee, we are not going to bow the knee to anti-democratic forces, whether they be so-called loyalists or so-called republicans," Mr McGuinness added."This is an occasion where we do need to be seen to be standing together - not just Peter Robinson and myself - but all the political leaders in the assembly need to be speaking with one voice and making it absolutely clear that we are not going to bow the knee, we are not going to bow the knee to anti-democratic forces, whether they be so-called loyalists or so-called republicans," Mr McGuinness added.
Mr McGuinness was asked about comments by his Sinn Fein colleague Alex Maskey who said he would defend his home if it was "coming under attack".
The DUP has referred Mr Maskey's comments to the assembly's Standards and Privileges Committee.
Mr McGuinness said: "Let me put it like this, if God forbid a police officer was killed tonight by so-called violent republicans, I would unreservedly condemn it and I would call on anybody within the community with any scrap of information to give that information to the police.
"Some people who challenge Alex Maskey have a brass neck.
"I haven't heard one unionist politician over the course of the last five weeks say what I have just said.
"I haven't heard them calling (for) people to be arrested and I haven't heard them call on people with information about those involved in these violent riots to bring that information to the police."
Mr McGuinness also also said that a statement issued by the office of Northern Ireland first minister and deputy first minister after a meeting of NI political leaders at Stormont Castle last month was not as strong as he would have liked.
On Monday evening, petrol bombs were thrown by rioters towards St Matthew's Catholic Church in Short Strand.On Monday evening, petrol bombs were thrown by rioters towards St Matthew's Catholic Church in Short Strand.
William Ward, a church worker at St Matthew's, said loyalists attacked homes beside the church with stones, bottles and petrol bombs.William Ward, a church worker at St Matthew's, said loyalists attacked homes beside the church with stones, bottles and petrol bombs.
The church hall was hosting a social event for children with special needs and their carers at the time.The church hall was hosting a social event for children with special needs and their carers at the time.
The church stands where the Catholic Short Strand area meets the Protestant lower Newtownards Road.The church stands where the Catholic Short Strand area meets the Protestant lower Newtownards Road.
Police said they came under attack as they responded to reports of petrol bombs being thrown from Pitt Park towards St Matthew's Church.Police said they came under attack as they responded to reports of petrol bombs being thrown from Pitt Park towards St Matthew's Church.
Jim Wilson, a Protestant community worker in the area, told the BBC that he believed loyalist youths had initiated attacks on Catholic homes.Jim Wilson, a Protestant community worker in the area, told the BBC that he believed loyalist youths had initiated attacks on Catholic homes.
He said this had led nationalists to launch retaliatory attacks on Protestant homes.He said this had led nationalists to launch retaliatory attacks on Protestant homes.
On Saturday, there was rioting at the interface as a flag protest made its way back into east Belfast from the city hall.On Saturday, there was rioting at the interface as a flag protest made its way back into east Belfast from the city hall.
Twenty-nine police officers were injured in rioting at the Short Strand interface after a "breakaway crowd" of loyalist protesters marched past the nationalist area on their return.Twenty-nine police officers were injured in rioting at the Short Strand interface after a "breakaway crowd" of loyalist protesters marched past the nationalist area on their return.
Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for almost six weeks, since Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December.Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place for almost six weeks, since 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 in which 101 police officers have been injured.The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting in which 101 police officers have been injured.
To date 112 people have been arrested, of whom 85 have been charged.To date 112 people have been arrested, of whom 85 have been charged.