Updated on
Summary
Several police were injured during riots against Orange Order marches in Northern Ireland which saw at least one shot fired. Police fired up to 14 baton rounds after disturbances broke out involving scores of republican youths as thousands of Orangemen and women returned from Twelfth parades marking the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.In the nationalist Ardoyne area of north Belfast, petrol bombs and bottles were thrown and riot police officers appealed for calm after the main parade passed through the city centre. Two officers, including a policewoman were hurt.Water cannon was deployed by police and reports say one baton round was fired.In Rasharkin, Co Antrim, three officers were hurt when they were hit by stones, masonry and six petrol bombs. One man was arrested.And in Armagh, officers came under further attack with missiles during a security operation. They were dealing with a bomb which exploded in the Friary Road area of the city earlier.Police said four people were arrested for public order offences and minor disturbances with several petrol bombs thrown but no injuries. There were two cars stolen but police and local representatives are working to restore calm.The various outbreaks of violence and disorder were seen as relatively minor. But they are seen by the authorities as disappointing at a time when considerable efforts are being made to brighten Northern Irelands image.
