11:46am UK, Wednesday July 13, 2011
Petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks have been thrown at police in Belfast after a loyalist Orange Order parade passed through a republican area in the north of the city.
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Police in riot gear fired baton rounds and water cannon at crowds of around 200 in the Estoril Park and Brompton Park areas after they were attacked by masked youths.
At least two officers were set alight briefly when petrol bombs exploded on or near them, Sky's Ireland correspondent David Blevins, who was at the scene, said.
"The petrol bombs were literally raining down on police lines at one stage," he said.
"I counted at least 30 in the space of a minute hitting a police riot squad at Brompton Park."
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said: "Violence was intense and sustained. Sixteen officers were injured. Fifty baton rounds were fired by police."
An officer's head is engulfed in flames after being hit by a petrol bomb
The working-class area of Ardoyne has been the scene of serious trouble in the past between police and nationalists following similar loyal order parades.
The Twelfth of July celebrations by Orangemen involved tens of thousands of members of the loyal orders walking the streets to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne victory of a Protestant over a Catholic monarch.
Violence also broke out in the nationalist areas of Broadway, Old Park and North Queen Street in the west of Belfast and continued through the early hours of this morning, with more than 40 petrol bombs being thrown.
A number of vehicles were reportedly hijacked in the area, with a motorcycle and at least one van set on fire, according to police.
Nationalist youths hurl bricks at police in Ardoyne, north Belfast
Away from Belfast, Londonderry, Armagh City and Ballymena, Co Antrim, also experienced public disorder.
There were also disturbances in Newry, Co Down, when youths threw stones and set tyres on fire.
In Londonderry, crowds gathered and a van was ablaze on a flyover close to Free Derry Corner.
Police said a total of 13 people - 12 males and one female - were arrested in relation to the disorder in Londonderry.
Vehicles were set alight during the rioting
Blevins said the violence was being described as "recreational rioting" because it did not have the same political motivation as the riots seen at the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
"This is violence orchestrated mainly by young teenagers," he said.
"There is an anti-social element to it. It is often fuelled by drink and drugs.
"They feel a bit disengaged from the new Northern Ireland and the political process so they engage in this sort of activity.
"But it doesn't command widespread community support."
People gather at bonfire in Glenarm, Co Antrim, during Orange Order celebrations
One of Northern Ireland's most senior police officers said the disorder was totally unacceptable and appealed for calm.
"The past 24 hours has been a very challenging time for communities and policing in Northern Ireland," Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said.
"Whilst I commend the bravery and leadership of many within the community who worked tirelessly to reduce the disorder and calm tensions - we need everyone to keep working to build and maintain calm across all local areas.
"My colleagues are working around the clock to protect the community right across Northern Ireland and we have sufficient resources in place to do this."
He warned that police would examine CCTV security camera footage to identify perpetrators of the violence.
Article Source KBG Test Blog (http://rc.kbg.me)
