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| Belfast protest: Officer who was bitten receives 12 stitches in worst clash of marching season | |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A Northern Irish policeman received 12 stiches after he was reportedly bitten by a protester as Ulster Loyalists clashed with riot police in Belfast on Monday night. | |
| The officer, who has not been identified, was one of 24 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) injured – along with a teenage girl – after a parade celebrating the 325TH anniversary of a famous Protestant victory over an English Catholic monarch turned violent. | The officer, who has not been identified, was one of 24 Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) injured – along with a teenage girl – after a parade celebrating the 325TH anniversary of a famous Protestant victory over an English Catholic monarch turned violent. |
| Tempers flared at around 7.30pm after the peaceful march of up to 3,000 supporters was followed by a small number who confronted police officers at a metal crowd barrier on Woodvale Road and Crumlin Road, Belfast. | Tempers flared at around 7.30pm after the peaceful march of up to 3,000 supporters was followed by a small number who confronted police officers at a metal crowd barrier on Woodvale Road and Crumlin Road, Belfast. |
| PSNI officers and barricades were in position following a ban on the Orangemen – a protestant fraternal organisation who hold a parade on July 12 annually – marching down Crumlin Road separating Unionist and nationalist communities. | PSNI officers and barricades were in position following a ban on the Orangemen – a protestant fraternal organisation who hold a parade on July 12 annually – marching down Crumlin Road separating Unionist and nationalist communities. |
| Dissident Republicans have staged attacks in this area in the past. | Dissident Republicans have staged attacks in this area in the past. |
| Only minutes after the parade reached the barriers, bottles and other missiles started hailing down on officers and reporters covering the march. | Only minutes after the parade reached the barriers, bottles and other missiles started hailing down on officers and reporters covering the march. |
| Meanwhile, the standoff at Woodvale Road officers descended into a fracas after marchers lobbed bricks at officers. | Meanwhile, the standoff at Woodvale Road officers descended into a fracas after marchers lobbed bricks at officers. |
| A Police Service for Northern Ireland press officer told The Independent: “Although we cannot go into details there were number of different injuries sustained by officers.” | A Police Service for Northern Ireland press officer told The Independent: “Although we cannot go into details there were number of different injuries sustained by officers.” |
| He added that “a number” were treated in hospital but “a few remained on duty at the scene.” | He added that “a number” were treated in hospital but “a few remained on duty at the scene.” |
| PSNI officers used water cannons and three rubber bullet rounds on the crowd. | PSNI officers used water cannons and three rubber bullet rounds on the crowd. |
| The two incidents are the most serious violent confrontation in a previously peaceful ‘marching season’ in Northern Ireland. | The two incidents are the most serious violent confrontation in a previously peaceful ‘marching season’ in Northern Ireland. |
| The teenage girl, who has not been identified, was rescued by officers after it is believed a car struck her during the march. Officers lifted the vehicle off her before she was taken to a nearby hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. | The teenage girl, who has not been identified, was rescued by officers after it is believed a car struck her during the march. Officers lifted the vehicle off her before she was taken to a nearby hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. |
| @ChiefConPSNI well done to these guys pic.twitter.com/pE0iMR1eIw | @ChiefConPSNI well done to these guys pic.twitter.com/pE0iMR1eIw |
| The Police Federation has condemned the attacks as “mindless, deplorable and shameful,” as an official spokesperson for the Orange Order also criticised the violent actions of some. | The Police Federation has condemned the attacks as “mindless, deplorable and shameful,” as an official spokesperson for the Orange Order also criticised the violent actions of some. |
| Police remain present at the Ardoyne, Woodvale & Twaddell area in significant numbers. The situation remains tense & we appeal for calm. | Police remain present at the Ardoyne, Woodvale & Twaddell area in significant numbers. The situation remains tense & we appeal for calm. |
| As of yesterday, a police presence remained in the area, with the PSNI’s official Twitter account appealing for calm as the situation “remains tense”. | As of yesterday, a police presence remained in the area, with the PSNI’s official Twitter account appealing for calm as the situation “remains tense”. |
| Additional reporting by Press Association | Additional reporting by Press Association |