BELFAST STREET VIOLENCE: Executive to hold emergency meeting
Last updated 8th Apr 2021
The Stormont Executive will re-convene today (Thursday) for an emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing street violence in Belfast.
Last night a bus was hjjacked and set on fire, petrol bombs were thrown, and a press photographer was attacked.
Clashes also erupted between loyalists and nationalists at the peace wall linking the Shankill and Springfield Roads.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the violence and said the scenes "deeply concerned" him.
In a tweet Minister Arlene Foster said those rioting were an "embarrassment to Northern Ireland".
But she also said Sinn Fein were the "real lawbreakers" - a reference to to the ongoing Bobby Storey funeral row.
And Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill tweeted that the "violence and street disorder" was causing "huge distress in local communities at this time."
She said "those involved in violence, criminal damage, manipulation of our young people and attacks on the police must stop."
Meanwhile, MLAs had already been due to return to Assembly to discuss a motion condemning it the violence after more than 40 PSNI officers were injured in disorder over recent nights.
Friday 2nd April
Young people take part in a loyalist protest in South Belfast's Sandy Row.
Friday 2nd April
Rioters clash with police in the Sandy Row area of Belfast.
Friday 2nd April
Police officers during a riot on the Donegall Road, Sandy Row.
Saturday 3rd April
Masked men threw petrol bombs and hijacked cars in the Newtownabbey area North of Belfast
Monday 5th April
A member of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) extinguishes a JCB digger which has been set alight close to the Loyalist Nelson Drive Estate in the Waterside of Derry City, Co. Londonderry.
Monday 5th April
PSNI Tactical Support Group (TSG) officers in attendance at the Loyalist Nelson Drive Estate in the Waterside of Derry/Londonderry City.
Monday 5th April
For a third night in a row, young people were involved in disturbances in Carrickfergus.
Monday 5th April
Loyalists block the North Road in Carrickfergus close to the Castlemara Estate in Co Antrim.
Tuesday 6th April
Bins are set ablaze at the Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey.
Tuesday 6th April
Unionist communities loyal to the UK believe the Brexit sea border threatens Northern Irelands constitutional position within the union.
Tuesday 6th April
PSNI pictured on the Antiville Road after loyalists took part in a protest at the Antiville roundabout in Larne County Antrim.
Wednesday 7th April
A hijacked bus was set ablaze at the junction of Lanark Way and Shankill Road in west Belfast.
Wednesday 7th April
Crowds have gathered at Lanark Way and West Circular Road at its junction with the Springfield Road in west Belfast.
Wednesday 7th April
A firework explodes as Nationalists and Loyalists clash with one another at the peace wall.
Wednesday 7th April
Nationalist youths clashing with the PSNI close to the peace line.
Wednesday 7th April
Petrol bombs were launched over the peace wall.
Thursday 8th April
Police use a water cannon at Nationalist youths as they block a road near the Peace Wall in west Belfast.
Thursday 8th April
Nationalist youths gather as they confront police officers
Thursday 8th April
Authorities in Northern Ireland sought to restore calm on Thursday evening after Protestant and Catholic youths in Belfast hurled bricks, fireworks and gasoline bombs at police and each other.
Friday 9th April
A car in North Belfast is hijacked and explodes in North Belfast
Friday 9th April
Police battle flames and debris
Monday 19th April
Loyalist protesters during further unrest
Monday 19th April
A woman with a pram runs past PSNI vehicles and loyalist protesters
Monday 19th April
A burning barricade
Monday 19th April
PSNI vehicles and loyalist protesters during further unrest on Lanark Way in Belfast. Picture date
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