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Eight police officers hurt at Belfast parade flashpoint | Eight police officers hurt at Belfast parade flashpoint |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Eight police officers have been injured during violence in north Belfast. | |
A 16-year-old girl was also hurt after she was struck by an out-of-control car. | |
Missiles were thrown on the Woodvale Road and Crumlin Road as police enforced a parade restriction. | Missiles were thrown on the Woodvale Road and Crumlin Road as police enforced a parade restriction. |
The Orange Order was barred from walking along a stretch of the Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on its return from an annual celebration. | The Orange Order was barred from walking along a stretch of the Crumlin Road that separates unionist and nationalist communities on its return from an annual celebration. |
Within minutes of the parade reaching police lines, empty bottles, bricks and metal bolts were thrown at police. | |
The Orange lodges and accompanying bands were returning from a parade to commemorate the victory of the Protestant King William III at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. | |
The trouble began at about 19:30 BST on Monday. | |
But it escalated after a car struck several pedestrians at the nearby Ardoyne shops. | |
It happened as a crowd of nationalists gathered on the Crumlin Road. | |
The vehicle trapped the girl underneath and was lifted off by police and members of the public. | |
She was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to hospital. | |
A man was taken away by police for his own safety. | |
Police said two officers were hurt as they dealt with that incident. | |
Trapped | Trapped |
Fr Gary Donegan, of Holy Cross Catholic Church, who was at the scene, told the BBC that a driver "panicked" and drove into a crowd, injuring three people. | Fr Gary Donegan, of Holy Cross Catholic Church, who was at the scene, told the BBC that a driver "panicked" and drove into a crowd, injuring three people. |
He said that a girl was trapped under the car and suffered head and neck injuries. | |
"It's miraculous that she's still alive," Fr Donegan said. | "It's miraculous that she's still alive," Fr Donegan said. |
Sinn Féin MLA Gerry Kelly said the girl had been injured but it was not life-threatening. He said the teenager was trapped under the vehicle after it mounted the kerb. She was later freed by police officers and people in the area, before being taken to hospital. | |
Mr Kelly appealed for calm. | Mr Kelly appealed for calm. |
The violence followed a day of largely peaceful 12 July loyal order parades across Northern Ireland. | The violence followed a day of largely peaceful 12 July loyal order parades across Northern Ireland. |
First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the violence. | |
"The PSNI is tasked with upholding the rule of law and it is vital that those involved in such riotous activity cease and are held accountable. They do a massive disservice to the wider cause they claim to support," the DUP leader said. | |
"My thoughts and prayers are with all those who have been injured whilst serving the public, as well as the young girl who has been injured in a vehicle collision." | |
Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, described the attacks on police as "disgraceful". | Northern Ireland Secretary, Theresa Villiers, described the attacks on police as "disgraceful". |
"Those responsible do nothing to further the cause they claim to promote," she said. "They damage Northern Ireland and wreck a day which should be about respectful celebration of cultural tradition." | |
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds, DUP, said there was a "severe problem in relation to community relations and respect for law and order". | |
"The way forward is to recognise the failures of the past cannot be repeated and a new way forward for parading and protesting is badly needed," he said. | |
The Orange Order also condemned those engaging in violence and issued an appeal for calm. | The Orange Order also condemned those engaging in violence and issued an appeal for calm. |
"Those involved in violence should desist," a Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland spokesman said. | "Those involved in violence should desist," a Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland spokesman said. |
"It is not only counterproductive but also plain wrong. | "It is not only counterproductive but also plain wrong. |
"Such actions are only strengthening the hand of those who wish to further curtail our parades." | "Such actions are only strengthening the hand of those who wish to further curtail our parades." |
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ivan Lewis, said the police and members of the public, had "endured unacceptable levels of violence and disorder". | Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ivan Lewis, said the police and members of the public, had "endured unacceptable levels of violence and disorder". |