The Ulster Volunteer Force has been blamed for the escalating violence in Belfast after a second night of rioting in the east of the city.
A press photographer is recovering in hospital after he was shot in the leg during disturbances in the Short Strand on Tuesday night.
Police chiefs have accused the UVF of ‘attempted murder’ after what they described as the most serious street violence seen in East Belfast for years.
Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum from the Police Service of Northern Ireland has claimed the UVF is behind the latest outbreak of violence despite the fact that it is on ceasefire.
He has accused UVF leaders of orchestrating the riots that saw 11 shots fired at police on Tuesday night, one of which hit the Press Association photographer.
Tensions are high after up to 700 unionists and nationalists clashed in the Short Strand area of the city with bricks and bottles thrown repeatedly.
Chief Supt McCrum said the violence started when loyalists from nearby areas moved in on the Short Strand area.
“That precipitated a response from the community in the Short Strand, and then we were left with two communities who, for the next four hours, were seeking to involve themselves in conflict across what was, and continues to be, a very challenging interface in the city” he told the Irish Times.
“We are satisfied that at the very least members of east Belfast UVF were involved in organizing the disorder.
“We had additional resources in the Short Strand on Monday night, but no one could have anticipated the scale of the disorder that took place.
“No one could have anticipated that hundreds of people would be on the street and that petrol bombs, blast bombs, sticks and bottles would be thrown over four to five hours.”
Sinn Féin Assembly Member Alex Maskey also blamed the UVF for the disturbances. He said: “The activities of the UVF in east Belfast have been giving people cause for concern for some time.
“These have been well documented in the media by a variety of commentators. There has been a marked increase in UVF flag-flying, the painting of new paramilitary murals and significant agitation around loyal order parades. This has caused deep unease within both communities in east Belfast.
“The PSNI could have responded better to the trouble when it erupted. Let us act now to make sure UVF actions are not allowed to set the agenda for the summer months in the city of Belfast.”
Northern Ireland’s Minister for Justice and Alliance leader David Ford branded the violent scenes a ‘disgrace’.
The Irish Times reports that rumors are circulating that the trouble followed growing unease within loyalist communities in east Belfast.
The paper claims that reports centre on investigations mounted by the Historical Enquiries Team, a specialist unit which is separate from the PSNI but reports to the chief constable on unsolved murders from the Troubles.
Local people fear rumors that a supergrass has been identified.
Progressive Unionist member Jim Wilson claimed: “Loyalism feels outside the peace process because we have been pushed outside the process.
“Nobody is trying to bring us in. We were part and parcel of what’s happening up at Stormont but it’s still a cold house for loyalism.”
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Read more:
Boston College fights subpoena over IRA interviews
Irish boxing legend Barry McGuigan carried a gun due to threat of IRA
My tears at the Queen Elizabeth's speech at Dublin Castle
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.allan07 | Jul 20, 2011, 03:40 PM EDT
Irish central make the News of the World half decent and wholly honest.
allan07 | Jul 20, 2011, 03:39 PM EDT
After reading the articles written by Irish Central i am offended by the way the articles are written. For Irish central read Provost. Just how many reporters are from Northern Ireland? How they from both communities? The answers are probably NONE AND NONE FROM THE PROTESTANT COMMUNITY. Nationalist Propaganda. All my submissions are cencored and these those that are displayed are only displayed for a day or so. Dirty tricks by the nationalist. Whats new?
allan07 | Jul 20, 2011, 03:30 PM EDT
stop offending those form Northern Ireland whatever their religion. THIS COLUMN OFFENDS 99% OF THE PROTESTANT COMMUNITY IN NORTHERN IRELAND. STOP IT IRISH CENTRAL.
allan07 | Jul 20, 2011, 03:27 PM EDT
Seanomelbourne I am from NORTHERN IRELAND AND YES PROUD TO NORTHERN IRISH AND BRITISH. Yes I hate the Republic of Ireland for everything they stand for. I just wish those in the ROI and elsewhere would leave us alone. We have had a nasty divorce from the ROI in 1922 and we do not ever want to get remarried. It people that try and force their bigotted opinions down your throat. If Rory McIlroy wants to wave any flag of any colour thats his choice. If other people cant see that thats their bigotted opinion showing its ugly head. A good example was 5 years ago when Paul McGinley tried to place a tricolour around our Darren Clarke. (Darren wasn't having any of it). I was so proud of him to stand up and not be bullied by nationalist. Everyone has the right to define himself or herself the way they wish. So put the offending those from Northern Ireland and this paper does it 24/7. Respect other peoples choices its simple.
seanomelbourne | Jun 24, 2011, 07:01 PM EDT
Economic policies!!! what a laugh just look where the Irish are because of failed economic policies.Sinn Fein is so radical it's one of the largest political parties in Ireland.I can see through your anti Irish veil Kilsally.
Kilsally | Jun 24, 2011, 10:15 AM EDT
seanomelbourne - it just isnt going to happen - Sinn Fein is a radical left wing marxist party and voters north and south know that their economic policies are madness.
Kilsally | Jun 24, 2011, 10:13 AM EDT
JessNiLeacai yes everybody is disgusted, I`m not condoning the riots in the slightest but you are wrong about Loyalists not considering themselves Irish. They consider themselves to be Ulstermen both Irish & British - most Unionists have no issues with such with most recent surveys showing `Northern Irish` as the most popular definition. If you google `billy mitchell uvf` you will find many article published the now deceased loyalist paramilitary / terrorist turned peacemaker on his cultural identity as irish, british and ulster-scots which were published in places like former IRA man Anthony McIntyres `The Blanket` and ex political prisoners site which is now defunct `the other view` he summed his opinion up as that of Samuel Thompson, the Bard of Carngranny, who expressed the position of eighteenth century Irish Presbyterians in the following verse: - "I love my native land, no doubt, Attach'd to her thro' thick and thin Yet tho' I'm Irish all without I'm every item Scotch within."
seanomelbourne | Jun 23, 2011, 07:48 PM EDT
The sympathy for the UVF because they are marginilized is amusing they spent a lifetime marginilizing nationalists and on it goes.If the unionists and nationalists workers had united(a goal Sinn Fein tried many years ago)no one would be left out of the system.
JessNiLeacai | Jun 23, 2011, 03:06 PM EDT
@Kilsally -Rory was even disgusted with the carry on going on as any reasonable, logical person would.I do not know any loyalists, and when I say loyalists, I mean people who identify themselves with the UVF, with the Crown etc would consider themselves Irish. On the contrary, they consider themselves British. And I think that is the point that Eamonn is making.
Kilsally | Jun 23, 2011, 02:32 PM EDT
Why would they do that Eamonn? That is the Republic`s flag. Northern Ireland has it`s own flag as evidence by rory McIlroy flying it the other day.
Eamonn12 | Jun 23, 2011, 02:12 PM EDT
@Kilsally - Grand then. So since these loyalists are IRISH, they will no doubt fly the tricolour of Ireland and submit to Dublin, the national capital of the IRISH REPUBLIC?
JessNiLeacai | Jun 23, 2011, 01:48 PM EDT
Regardless of who approved of what, who is represented, there is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for violence. I do not and have not see any peaceful protests as done by those on Bloody Sunday but then again I never heard of the British killing innocent Loyalists who were in a peaceful protest either, it has never happened. The Good Friday agreement has it's flaws, acquitting anyone of any crime because political/religious association is wrong and should not be allowed or condoned. As for the comments of better off neighbourhoods, I could have lived in East Belfast for cheaper rent, but I was advised because of my South of Ireland accent- 'Not with your accent' would they rent to me. Now, we all have a choice in life, I am not rich nor well off, I come from a humble background. It is what you value and prioritise in this life that makes your life more valuable or not. Education is important and you can choose the path less traveled and educate yourself or you can booze and drug it away. I will not make excuses for myself or anyone for that matter. These people choose to live this way, violence is their outlet.
canadianirish | Jun 23, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT
@Kilsally - wonderfully stated!
canadianirish | Jun 23, 2011, 12:38 PM EDT
@citizen69 - Well stated! The best post I've read. As for 'antoman' - riots have also broken out in American cities after their respective sports teams have lost. Hockey is our passion but neither I nor any fellow Canadian I've spoken to condones what occurred after game 7 in Vancouver!
DaithiSuibhne | Jun 23, 2011, 11:11 AM EDT
Looks like a precursor for a grand marching season doesn't it? Thanks Stormont you've done a fine job.
bunkerhill | Jun 23, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT
I already made a comment, but it was apparently deleted. I have no idea why, but I will get the name of the book.
SAirish | Jun 23, 2011, 09:55 AM EDT
Actually the NI prods are celts just like the Irish. They are not Anglo-Saxons as their forefathers came from Scotland.
Kilsally | Jun 23, 2011, 08:50 AM EDT
Eamonn said "I think you don't understand the conflict. The loyalists are not Irish, nor do they claim to be." sorry Eamonn but you are wrong here. The Royal IRISH Regiment & IRISH Guards being a case in point. The problem is people saying to Loyalists `you are Irish not British` when Loyalists consider themselves to be both. You can add Ulstermen, Northern Irish, Ulster-Scots(Scotch-Irish) to those in many instances. I know I am comfortable with all of those, what rags me is others telling me what I am and what I am not- thats for me to decide.
Kilsally | Jun 23, 2011, 05:34 AM EDT
And it seems it was dissident Republicans that shot the photographer - they were aiming for police officers and missed.
Kilsally | Jun 23, 2011, 05:32 AM EDT
You have the wrong end of the stick cillowen. This is an interface area between Loyalist (Protestant) and Republican (Catholic) housing estates. They are pretty poor areas and there is alot of unemployments, disadvantage, mental health issues, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and ongoing tit for tat attacks going both ways. Not quite sure what has prompted this big orchestrated attack. Unlike Sinn Fein & the IRA terrorists the Loyalist terrorists no longer have political representatives elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly - the UVF linked PUP originally had two Belfast MLA`s in David Ervine and Billy Hutchinson, that went down to just Dawn Purvis last time and nobody after the recnt elections (they might have 1 or 2 councillors). Infact this is First Minister Peter Robinsons constituency where he lost his MP`s seat last year to the cross-community Alliance`s Naomi Long. Another factor is the constant message being put out that violence pays. How many ex IRA terrorists are now in high paying jobs helping to run Northern Ireland? Gerry Kelly shot a prison guard in the head. Martina Anderson is a convicted bomber and the big one raging at the minute in Mary McArdle being appointed as a special advisor on £80,000 a year. She was convicted of the killing of Catholic school teacher Mary Travers - they shot Catholic judge Tom, his wife (the bullets jammed) and his daughter Mary, shooting her in the back.
sirpeter | Jun 22, 2011, 09:51 PM EDT
I read all these comments and mamaginnty said the loyalist's said they were been pushed outside the peace process.Fallsnrat said the same.I think there might be something to that.This is a working class area and they tend to feel change alot more then rich prod areas.They had better sort it out quick.
antoman | Jun 22, 2011, 09:09 PM EDT
if I can?..thats it mate.Back of the internet now.
seanomelbourne | Jun 22, 2011, 08:08 PM EDT
What a strange reply.Stick to the point antoman if you can.
antoman | Jun 22, 2011, 07:04 PM EDT
@Seanomelbourne-When the English first discovered Australia they were surprised that the gentlemen residing there were not dressed for dinner.
seanomelbourne | Jun 22, 2011, 06:46 PM EDT
The unionists never really accepted the GFA.They never wanted a pluralistic society.I find it amusing that several posters on this site have disappeared maybe they are afraid of been told "I told you so".
JessNiLeacai | Jun 22, 2011, 04:20 PM EDT
I live in Northern Ireland, just outside Belfast. I have walked around Belfast city today with absolutely no bother. It is always about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have no interest in entering Loyalist neighbourhoods nor would I want to. Everyone knows that during Marching Season this carry on happens. It is nothing new. Best thing is to avoid the areas at all costs.
mamaginnty | Jun 22, 2011, 03:53 PM EDT
I have relations and freinds in the north of Ireland and things have been brewing in the loyalist camps for a while, one person told me 5 weeks ago that she saw a car outside a well know loyalist home, they were taking boxes from the car and one burst, snooker balls and golf balls were rolling all over the road, she said she got a creepy feeling when she saw the men looking around to see who was watching, she ran. Monday night was planned ahead. Some other freinds have said they have been scared this last six months because they were being verbally abused as pope lovers just as before the troubles. Wilson said " we are being pushed outside the peace process " crap, they are boiling up because Sínn Fein are getting more votes and support there than ever. Rory McIlroy winning in golf, the catholic homes were bombarded with stones that day. God help the nationalist before during and after the 12th parades. Started this way in the early sixties and looked what happened. I know exactly how they are feeling, I lived it too.
cillowen | Jun 22, 2011, 03:39 PM EDT
The Peace Agreement so brilliantly crafted by the UK/US Saxon caball was but a taming of the disenfranchised RC natives. Shure Catholic loving Unionist Rory McIlroy and family knows the side to come out on. Its getting close to Mad Proddy marching season again but they can't wait to strut their terrorizing stuff. Gerry and Martin were sweet talked under a then propped up Tiger that had them snookered. Topping it all off now is the numbers of Southies who're heading out to join the British Army. Trying to survive in a bellied-up republic has them fleeing for their lives - fleeing a sinking ship. I still don't understand why Billy Clinton didn't get his Sir Billy title given the yeaman work he undertook for the crown.
cillowen | Jun 22, 2011, 03:37 PM EDT
The Peace Agreement so brilliantly crafted by the UK/US Saxon caball was but a taming of the disenfranchised RC natives. Shure Catholic loving Unionist Rory McIlroy and family knows the side to come out on. Its getting close to Mad Proddy marching season again but they can't wait to strut their terrorizing stuff. Gerry and Martin were sweet talked under a then propped up Tiger that had them snookered. Topping it all off now is the numbers of Southies who're heading out to join the British Army. Trying to survive in a bellied-up republic has them fleeing for their lives - fleeing a inking ship. I still don't understand why Billy Clinton didn't get his Sir Billy title given the yeaman work he undertook for the crown.
jamthecat | Jun 22, 2011, 02:32 PM EDT
Hate, distrust and selfishness are neverending. Same for stupidity. For proof all you need to do is look back over the history of "humanity."
Chiefjustice | Jun 22, 2011, 02:07 PM EDT
Gee, don't ya have enough problems all ready?
Eamonn12 | Jun 22, 2011, 01:26 PM EDT
@beaumax99 - I think you don't understand the conflict. The loyalists are not Irish, nor do they claim to be. I wouldn't go to the Shankill and refer to anyone as Irish unless you had a fast pair of runners....
antoman | Jun 22, 2011, 01:12 PM EDT
@Citizen69-Could'nt agree with you more mate.
citizen69 | Jun 22, 2011, 12:42 PM EDT
@Ajreaper: That's true, more peace walls are going up instead of coming down. Unfortunately some people pass their hatred down to their children.... @Anto: Yeah, they always destroy their own neighbourhoods which just adds to the further deprivation of their community. Rioters couldn't care less, they always blame it on someone else and view themselves as the victims. It's always the same story whether they be loyalist or republican.
Ajreaper | Jun 22, 2011, 12:30 PM EDT
When I took a black cab tour I asked my guide if there was any thoughts of taking down the "peace walls" given the improved conditions and he said the simple truth is they cannot come dowwn until a bunch of folks on either side die of old age. Proclamations and the like don't change what's in the heart of men.
antoman | Jun 22, 2011, 12:17 PM EDT
@Citizen69-The Canadians lost a hockey game and tore up their own city.How stupid do you have to be to tear up your own neighbourhood.
citizen69 | Jun 22, 2011, 11:52 AM EDT
There has been tit-for-tat rioting on this road for a few days now but the UVF are to blame for the large escalation which resulted in guns being used by both sides on Mon & Tues nights. Two men and a press photographer where hit by gunfire from the republican side and police vehicles being hit by gunfire from the loyalist side. I believe the police need to take tough & swift action on rioters and paramilitaries who are making life hell for the ordinary folk who live in both sides of the divide. After the pride we had in Rory McIlroy winning the US open we then have these shameful scenes back on our streets. The huge majority of good people in Northern Ireland are embarrassed by these thugs.
feliciamaisey | Jun 22, 2011, 10:46 AM EDT
At a time when people have enough information and the tools to avoid such things, it is sincerely beyond comprehension that this type of activity would be destroying the beautiful city of Belfast. Have people learned nothing through their hateful actions over the centuries?
beaumax99 | Jun 22, 2011, 10:25 AM EDT
I think it is quite sad and pathetic in this day & age to fight against each other because of one's nationality, creed, or color. Ireland as well as other nations have enough economical problems without having to deal with prejudice's. I hope and pray that GOD watches over them all and make them realize that it is Irish killing off Irish. Again SAD...SO SAD.
stephendoyle | Jun 22, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT
The last sputerings of a dying engine. The UVF is sinking into obscurity and these are futile attempts to bring attention to themselves. Kind of pathetic in a changing culture in N. Ireland..................
antoman | Jun 22, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT
I'm sure the Queen is touched by these teenagers loyalty and would love to have them round to Buckingham palace for tea.In fact given the diverse population and communities in the UK in particular the ever growing Muslim population.It could be argued that these loyalist anglo saxons in N.Ireland are the equivalent of the last of the mohicans and should be marked as an endangered species like panda bears.Did the police landrovers play fairground music like an icecream van does?
Kilsally | Jun 22, 2011, 07:47 AM EDT
from what i have been hearing there has been tit-for-tat attacks ongoing for quite some time at a low level between the two housing estates - this is a notorious interface area between the two communities and quite disadvantaged areas, high unemployment, crime, drug, alcohol abuse etc. The rioting as usual seems to be kids - where are the parents?