THE TWELFTH. NOTTE INFUOCATA NELLE SEI CONTEE
Boy arrested following disorder in Derry (UTV)
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for riotous behaviour in Derry, as a police chief appeals for calm during a “challenging” 24 hours in which disorder has broken out across Northern Ireland.
The teen was detained after crowds gathered and a car was burnt out in the Free Derry Corner and Fahan Street area of the Bogside.
Police have also recovered a crate of petrol bombs in the city during violence which followed annual Twelfth of July celebrations.
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said while the vast majority of parades right across Northern Ireland had passed off peacefully, the public disorder that has taken place in north Belfast, east Belfast, Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland is totally unacceptable.
“The past 24 hours has been a very challenging time for communities and policing in Northern Ireland,” he said.
In Armagh, a large number of youths gathered in the Friary Road area shortly after 9pm were drinking and burning tyres.
Just before 10pm a car was hijacked and burnt out in the Killylea Road area of the city.
Meanwhile in Ballymena’s Dunclug estate a car has been set on fire.
Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim Daithí McKay tweeted: “Cars being burnt in north end of Ballymena, hoax device earlier as well, only victims of this are those who live in these neighbourhoods.”
A gang of young people set a tyre on fire and threw stones in the Cowen Road area of Newry at around 6.30pm.
In Belfast, a gang of youths have torched a parked car in Stewart Street and thrown stones and other missiles at police.
Diversions are in place at Oxford Street, May Street, Queen Elizabeth Bridge and East Bridge Street.
ACC 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.”