Politicians unite against NI riots

Jul 14 2010

Police have come under renewed attack from rioters as Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister condemned those behind the violence.

In Ardoyne, the scene of Monday night's major disturbances, a number of petrol bombs were thrown at police, who responded with water cannon.

There were no immediate reports of injuries on Tuesday night and officers said they were working with community leaders to end the disturbances.

Police earlier in the evening worked successfully with community representatives in the nationalist Short Strand, Markets and lower Ormeau areas to tackle attempts by youths to spark violence.

Northern Ireland's First Minister and Deputy First Minister have hit out at those behind the rioting and defended their political efforts to ease tensions over controversial parades.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Alistair Finlay earlier singled out Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness for criticism after violence surrounding July 12 Orange Order marches left 82 officers injured.

Chief Constable Matt Baggott blamed dissident republicans opposed to the peace process for fomenting tensions that reached a height in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast on Monday night where police came under sustained attack and eventually used baton rounds and water cannons to contain rioters.

Mr Baggott declined to single out individual politicians for criticism over the marches issue but called for a "big debate" on the way forward.

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness later issued a joint statement condemning the violence and highlighted their efforts to secure a lasting solution to tensions over controversial marches.

DUP leader Mr Robinson said: "I am disgusted at the outright thuggery and vandalism that has taken place over the course of the last 48 hours. There is no excuse and no place for violence in civilised society. Both the deputy First Minister and I have been, and will continue, to work for a resolution of the difficulties around parading."