Motorists to avoid Newtownabbey as youths gather for 2nd night
Some missiles were thrown but police have contained the disorder.
Last updated 4th Apr 2021
A week of violent disturbances is concluding with yet another disruption.
Police have appealed to motorists to avoid the Cloughfern Roundabout area of Newtownabbey.
It is where three cars were hijacked and burnt out last night (Saturday).
Now, a group of young people has gathered and it is reported petrol bombs were launched at police for a short time, but officers on the ground have since brought the violence under control.
Last night, some 30 petrol bombs were thrown at police in what was dubbed an "orchestrated attack'' during a further night of disorder in Northern Ireland.
A 47-year-old man was arrested and charged with throwing petrol bombs.
The accused will appear in Belfast Magistrates Court later this month.
On Friday night, there were violent scenes in the Sandy Row area of Belfast as well as in Londonderry on Friday.
Police said it was the fifth consecutive night of disorder in Derry on Friday, when 12 officers were injured by a large group throwing masonry, bottles, petrol bombs and fireworks.
Some 27 police officers were injured on Friday night across Belfast and Derry.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with those events, seven of whom are charged with riot.
There have been calls for an end to the violence, which is understood to be because of discontent among unionists and loyalist communities about a controversial decision not to prosecute leading Sinn Fein members over attendance at a funeral during lockdown in June.
DUP MP Gregory Campbell said: "Rioting and injuring rank and file officers will only result in young people being criminalised.''
The East Londonderry MP also criticised Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly for comments on Saturday about the disorder.
Mr Kelly claimed the disturbances were "a direct consequence of the actions of political unionism'' and accused "DUP rhetoric'' of sending a "very dangerous message to young people in loyalist areas''.
Alliance MLA John Blair has said the violence of this week has achieved nothing except spreading fear and destruction in communities.
“I utterly condemn the violence over the previous number of nights across Northern Ireland and reiterate our full support for the PSNI,” said Mr Blair, Alliance’s representative on the Policing Board.
“It has achieved nothing except spreading further fear across the communities affected, while causing destruction and injuries. I again appeal to all those with any influence in these areas to work with police to bring it to an end and ask parents and guardians to be aware of their children’s whereabouts at all times.
“The evidence is now clear - those who have spent time undermining police and whipping up fear and tension have to shoulder their part of the blame for what we have seen. Anyone in a position of political leadership must think their words and actions through carefully or else we may see more the scenes we have witnessed recently.”