Shots fired at police in East Belfast in latest night of flag protest violence

Seems the cost of this outbreak of violence is now a problem. The solution isn't the work of Einstein but simply look for change and extend the penalty to the family or the brothers and sisters of the culprit Imagine the scene in Ardenvour street if the errant son is convicted of affray and his mother and father lose their housing allowance for 6 motnhs and then the state look for recompense from brothers and sisters The result would be an immediate end to rioting and an adherence to the vague principles of Ulster democracy But have the Judiciary and the Police authority sufficent energy to create a new fountain of redressment in breaking the age old doctrine ' I am not my brother's keeper' In this case he might just be advised to see what the f the brother or sister is up to otherwise he loses his dole ,housing allowance and free transport Now that's enough to causeany hoodie to look at the dole card or the household account of his mother . If they are deprived of their allowances then they can reclaim on the mainland or in the South Don't just call for change do it once and the problem is solved No riotis but perhaps a few trnasfers to the mainland where the anger can be enjoyed by other Great Brits and they can plan another settlement of Ulster.

seamus you cross a bridge to far.

Contrast the attitude and behaviour of most involved through out these protests to that of Sinn Feins after Nationalists were beaten off the streets in Ardoyne when basically trying to stop the OO stumping through their neighbourhood. Haven`t heard a single Loyalist politician call for those involved in the protests to be thrown out of their homes etc. Would make you seriously think that SF will chastise their own constituents beyond the call of duty , just to appease their master.

Aliciarose I live in oz nd your statement is incorrect. The flag only flies daily from parliamnet house or war cemeteries. Town halls do not fly the flag daily.

I have been reading about this for weeks now. We fly our Flag all the time out here in OZ. Thank God we don't have to put up with you idiots. We only have to worry about the Bushfires at the moment. Wake up to yourselves. Think about the businesses in Belfast who are losing their incomes because of you "shites".

A 38 year old loyalist was charged in court today. Fortunately was firing a blank gun, but charged with wreckless endangerment.

Whilst it's very easy to empathise with the PSNI in trying to police a no-win situation, it was regretably partisan of its Chief [Service-or] to appeal to dissident loyalists to stop protesting because it was detracting from policing dissident republicans. Is there an appreciable difference between dissidents generically? It's time for Matt Baggott to call in the national police force An Gárda Síochána na h'Éireann (AGSÉ) to reinforce the neo-provincial PSNI/SPTE before things get really oout of hand. Irish regiments of the British Army could also be deployed in aid to the civil power.

Madeliene. I think you`re winding us all up .

Funny how all the loyalist politicians and even a senior cop say they can understand the frustration of the protesters. They democratically elected by the people can understand the people not accepting democracy. Crazy world.

The brits are loving it. Nothing like a bit of civil unrest to keep the natives pre-occupied. Calls for another thousand ruc officers to be recruited. lol

This protest has gone beyond all reason and has become a cover for those who possess idle hands which are exploited cynically by unionist politicians. It is all indicative of people in search of an identity who do not have a clue to what the term "British" means.

The "recreational rioters" from East Belfast are only having these flag marches so they can use it as a cover to attack the Short Strand. The Union Jack is only flown over Parliament at Westminster for the same 18 days as the Belfast City Council. Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly, only flies the UJ 18 days. The Welsh and Scottish Assemblies only fly the UJ 18 days. City councils across England, Scotland and Wales only fly the UJ 18 days. It's time for those in charge in Northern Ireland to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

The RUC/PSNI seem to have a different approach to orange protesters than they do to nationalist protesters. Where are the rubber bullets??

I kknow won;t get printed in a lib newspaper, but they can count themselves lucky. If theat were here, in USA and they were blak, Belfast would be gone!

Democratic vote goes against them, so they attack the PSNI - strange illogic? Are Matt Baggot or George Hamilton opposition councillors? Or is it just because the police are enforcing the law impartially, and some people don't like being told what to do, because they were brough up in an imperial tradition which led them to believe that law breaking was default mode for when you dont get what you want democratically. They resort to lawbreaking like blockading the 'Queen's highway' and watching and besetting and issuing death threats against elected representatives, (criminal offence in any Common Law jurisdiction) - to prove their loyalty? How is one loyal by offering violence to a political entity to which they swear allegience? If there had been more moderate/centrists in Ireland/Northern Ireland, there may never have been a split on the Island of Ireland - or between the British and/or Irish Isles! There's little point in calling oneself a democrat (sic) whilst winking and nodding to paramilitaries. There's little point in calling oneself a progressive (sic) whilst engaging in extra-constitutionalism. Blocking streets and thereatening politicians won't be tolerated up in the national capitol by An Gárda Síochána na h'Éireann (AGSE) any more than it is in the provincial capitol. Given that Min Shatter offered the republics CJS to his northern counterpart in teh wake of the killing of Prison Office Black, perhaps he could offer AGSE to the PSNI as reinforcements? And don't think the UVF can't wreck our Gathering either!