The Five Demands

Trouble flares at flag protests in Belfast (BBC News Northern Ireland)

Trouble broke out in Belfast and other towns as loyalists protest on Monday against restrictions on flying the union flag on the city hall.

Police said they came under attack on the lower Newtownards Road where 200 loyalists have congregated.

One officer was injured in Sandy Row, near the city centre, when paint bombs, fireworks and bricks were thrown.

In Portadown, a man was taken to hospital after being injured in a road accident during a protest.

In south Belfast, protestors set fire to bins and placed them across the Donegall Road near the City Hospital.

Following a protest at Carrickfergus, about 11 miles from Belfast, protestors entered the town hall, disrupted a meeting and threatened councillors. No-one was injured.

Police dispersed the crowd and people were able to leave the building.

Alliance Party Councillor Noel Williams said that about five protestors infiltrated a meeting of Carrickfergus Borough Council “and carried out a full frontal attack on democracy”.

He said councillors were subjected to verbal abuse by about five protestors who banged on desks and chairs.

“It is unacceptable that the town hall was not under police surveillance, especially as violence has broken out at previous protests,” he said.

“People have a right to protest peacefully, but this incident tonight put many people’s safety at risk and must not be tolerated.”

In Lisburn, County Antrim, a crowd has blocked Longstone Street. Police have asked people to avoid the area.

At Shaw’s Bridge, in south Belfast, police diverted traffic as youths attempted to hijack vehicles. The road has now been re-opened.

Rush hour

Protests also took place in Londonderry and Ballyclare.

Protestors blocked the road at Templemore Avenue, east Belfast
The protests, initially timed to coincide with the rush hour, were also held in several areas of Belfast including the Albertbridge Road, Newtownards Road and Limestone Road.

About 50 loyalists blocked traffic at Glendermott Road in Londonderry.

A similar number disrupted traffic at the junction of Tates Avenue and Boucher Road in Belfast.

Earlier on Monday, the leaders of the DUP and UUP, Peter Robinson and Mike Nesbitt, appealed to loyalist to call off the protests.

Impassable

In Dundonald, Robbs Road blocked an area near the Asda store.

Police closed the M2 Fortwilliam off-slip to the Shore Road because of a protest at Mount Vernon.

In south Belfast, the Ormeau Road re-opened after being blocked for a period

The Upper Malone Road at the House of Sport has also re-opened following a protest at the Dub.

In the north of the city, the Limestone Road was blocked at York Street and the Crumlin Road at Hesketh Park.

In Londonderry, drivers were advised to avoid the Glendermott Road into the city and the Rossdowney Road.

Ballyclare town centre, Coleraine and Broughshane village were also blocked by protestors

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