The Five Demands

PSNI hurt in clashes after flag protest (UTV)

Five police officers have been injured after trouble broke out in east Belfast following a loyalist flag protest in the city centre.

They were hurt during disorder in Castlereagh Street on Saturday afternoon. They have been taken to hospital for treatment.

Baton rounds have been fired during the disturbances and water cannon has also been deployed.

There are reports of cars on fire at the junction of the Beersbridge Road and the Castlereagh Road.

Clashes have also erupted between loyalist and nationalist crowds near the Short Strand area, where it is understood homes have been attacked and windows were smashed.

Rocks and fireworks were thrown at police when they moved in to separate the crowds.

Loyalist community worker Jim Wilson said the police decision to block the Queen’s Bridge as loyalists protestors were returning from the city centre protest resulted in disturbances.

It saddens me that once again in east Belfast we have trouble on the streets.

Jim Wilson
“It’s not four hours ago I sat down with police and I warned them that this possibly could happen,” he explained.

“I said to them if they do not let them through then they will take an ulterior route and the problem is they took an ulterior route and they came round this way and then police were not prepared for that.”

Local Sinn Féin Councillor Niall Ó Donnaghaile said tensions are running high among Short Strand residents after five weeks of loyalist protests in the area.

“What has been allowed to happen here is an absolute disgrace and now we as a community have to deal with the fall-out of illegal protests, anti-democratic protests and people who simply cannot tolerate the fact that the Short Strand as a community exists.”

A PSNI spokesman advised motorists to avoid the Albertbridge Road, Castlereagh Street and Templemore Avenue due to the disorder.

A number of homes along the Albertbridge Road are seriously, seriously damaged. That’s the impact of an illegal parade.

Niall Ó Donnaghaile
Earlier flag protestors gathered at Belfast City Hall to show their ongoing objection to the council’s decision to limit the flying of the Union flag to 18 designated days.

They came from across Belfast and further afield to take part in the weekend demonstration, which has been held each Saturday since the vote was taken in December.

Roads surrounding the city hall, including Wellington Place, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street and Victoria Street, Anne Street were closed to traffic during the rally. They have now reopened.

Public transport into and out of the city has been disrupted and Translink said a number of bus services have been suspended.

“All East Belfast Metro services are currently being held in Belfast until further notice,” Translink added.

There was a low-key police operation surrounding the protest at city hall, which passed off without incident.

On Friday night, violence broke out in Newtownabbey where four police officers were injured. Rioting also flared in Carrickfergus.

It came in the wake of six consecutive nights of violence in east Belfast earlier this month.

During the week the Confederation of British Industry revealed the flag dispute has cost businesses in Belfast up to £15m.

Local traders are expected to ask local politicians for a bailout at a meeting of business owners planned for next week.

A peace rally will be held in the city centre on Sunday afternoon.

Police say around 70 PSNI officers have been injured during outbreaks of rioting linked to the flag dispute since December.

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