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Three police shot during ‘Eleventh Night’ Orange Order celebrations

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, July 12, 2010, 7:30 AM

Updated Monday, July 12, 2010, 7:46 AM

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Violence at previous Orange Order parade

Three Northern Irish policemen have been injured and over two dozen injured as shots were fired in Northern Ireland on Sunday night, on the eve of Orange Order celebrations.

The annual Orange Order celebrations are to honor the 17th century battlefield victory over Irish Catholics.

Chief Superintendent, Mark Hamilton said “We have appealed for calm in the run-up to the Twelfth of July and we continue to do so.

We would appeal to anyone with influence in the community to exert it to ensure that the next few days pass off without incident.”

Over 200 people three petrol bombs, stones and bottles in North Belfast on Sunday. Luckily the police were not seriously injured.

The trouble began on Sunday night at 11.45pm. Police used water cannons and baton rounds to subdue the crowds.

Crowds became violent when the police attempted to separate those attending the traditional Eleventh Night bonfires on Donegal Road from the nationalist Broadway area.

Each year the pro-British Protestant groups burn Irish flags and photographs of politicians with Catholic backgrounds.
The BBC reported that at least one car was hijacked and set on fire.

The Chief Superintendent said the rioters caused “mayhem and destruction.”

“These officers were doing their jobs, were policing their local community and have been attacked whilst doing so.
"This is utterly wrong and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

"Those involved in tonight's violence were intent on causing mayhem and destruction.

"We responded to this disorder immediately and officers put themselves in danger in order to restore normal and calm to the area for the residents who live there. No-one wants a return to this type of behavior."

On Saturday, a bomb destroyed a bridge in Northern Ireland in an attack police said was also targeted at the police.

An investigation is now under way into the disturbances.

Nster.com

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47 Comments

15 - 47 | See all comments

PghIrish | Jul 16, 2010, 02:03 PM EDT

To my fellow US Irish diaspora: It's obvious our collective work toward peace and reconciliation in the North is not done. The International Fund for Ireland needs to review and priortize its programs and come back stronger than ever, in spite of what certain self-interested individuals claim. Please support extension of the IFI. and lets continue to make a difference there.

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citizen69 | Jul 14, 2010, 04:32 AM EDT

@S.Connolly: I think you'll find i am correct. I didn't mention the leader of Sinn Fein. Gerry KELLY is a Sinn Fein minister in the Northern Ireland government and the SF representative for North Belfast. You obviously know little about Northern Ireland yet you seem to feel informed enough to comment.

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Realist | Jul 14, 2010, 03:32 AM EDT

S.Connolly: citizen69 was correct. Gerry Kelly of Sinn Fein condemned these rioters, who, he said were shipped in from miles away to be 'offended'. I agree with him as there are many reports in the press today about local people in North Belfast not recognizing those causing the trouble (louts being bused in from as far afield as Londonderry) - but then the whole World can see that too....lol. By the way, the Republic of Ireland has 26 counties and is an independent nation.

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S.Connolly | Jul 14, 2010, 01:10 AM EDT

Oops Citizen 69...Sinn Fein's leader is Gerry ADAMS...let's be correct please. Ireland will never be free until all 26 are one...a free Ireland.

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Seamus59 | Jul 14, 2010, 12:27 AM EDT

They also burn effigies of the Pope. Such is the depth of their Christianity and love of neighbour!

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belfastgirl1 | Jul 13, 2010, 06:43 PM EDT

Southernpride: As I stated before, YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!!!! Read our history. The south abandoned the North when Britain ceded free state status to them. Sláinte

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belfastgirl1 | Jul 13, 2010, 06:35 PM EDT

Searlit: Glad to hear you haven't given up on beautiful Northern Ireland. When you do go, I know you will have a wonderful time. Sláinte.

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Searlit | Jul 13, 2010, 01:10 PM EDT

Belfastgirl1: I haven't given up on Northern Ireland. I know it's beautiful and that there are lots of beautiful people there. The Orangemen juvenile antics just bring the worst out in me. I'm waiting for them to come to their senses, stubborn and ridiculous as that seems.

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Realist | Jul 13, 2010, 01:07 PM EDT

citizen69: I totally agree. Behold the "Ireland of equals" where the parades commission decision is just fine in Drumcree but when it goes the other way in Ardoyne, the police and rule of law that eveyone supports are attacked. It just exposes how poorly house-trained some Republicans still are. They've been taught from the cradle to wreck and destroy (whilst claiming the maximum benefits from the very British state they claim to despise). I suggest they heed the wise words of Northern Ireland British Minister Gerry Kelly and pack it in.

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citizen69 | Jul 13, 2010, 04:04 AM EDT

Even Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly has said that these riots have been organized by dissident republicans from OUTSIDE of these areas. Brought in specifically to riot and cause tensions in a cynical attempt to draw orangemen into conflict.

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Greenblood | Jul 13, 2010, 02:47 AM EDT

Here's a good idea I dare the Orange Order marching parade to march through Catholic Streets without the police to protect them.

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Southernpride | Jul 12, 2010, 10:43 PM EDT

Northern Ireland ia an embarrassment to The real Irish people in the South of Ireland. Those Catholic/protestant lunatics bring nothing but shame to Ireland.

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wilmaslainte | Jul 12, 2010, 07:42 PM EDT

I think the Orange order celebrations should be banned. To allow a group to burn the Irish Flag in Ireland is a disgrace. This is just perpetuating the hatred and division of the Irish people.

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oldbear | Jul 12, 2010, 07:29 PM EDT

I'm of Irish heritage and a retired law enforcement officer - most of my years as street sgt. It could happn on the moon but I retain empathy for the men/women in uniform. Tough job esp. in riotous times. Yes, lost some friends doing their duty. I was quite lucky. Regardless of ethnicity I pray the outcome will be a more peacefull one for police and public. WE had our race riots and here there are conflicts among Christians.

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ArdeeOne | Jul 12, 2010, 06:42 PM EDT

To read what some of you write, it sounds like you think the only "real" Irish are Irish Catholics.To me, that's a very narrow, parochial view. Some of the Protestants in Northern Ireland did not want to be part of the Republic because they would have been subjected to Catholic laws prohibiting such things as divorce or birth control. Why would they want to give up the freedom they enjoyed under the British? Is there not room for many types of Irish, as there is room in America for many types of Americans? Must it depend on religion? After all, ethnically, the Scots-Irish and the Irish are virtually the same.

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