Intense rioting as flags protests continue

Posted by Jim on January 12, 2013

　Plastic bullets were fired and water cannons were used as rioting

erupted early this evening at loyalist flags protests.

The riots continued for several hours in Newtownabbey, outside Belfast,

and in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.

A large number of road blockings took place throughout the Six Counties

on Friday evening, causing major road disruption across the region.

In one incident, an elderly man was jeered by protestors in north

Belfast after they refused to allow him access to visit his dying wife.

The number of protestors was smaller than previous incidents before

Christmas, although the level of violence and determination of the

rioters appeared undiminished.

Some of the worst trouble was in Newtownabbey, where petrol bombs,

fireworks and other missiles were thrown at PSNI police, and a bus was

set on fire earlier.

In Carrickfergus, one PSNI man was injured by a mob throwing petrol

bombs, masonry and other missiles.

Thirty-three petrol bombs were thrown in total. The PSNI said they

fired five plastic bullets in return.

The rallies, dubbed by organisers as ‘Operation Standstill’, formed

part of a continuing loyalist campaign against the decision to restrict

the flying of the Union Jack Flag from Belfast City Hall.

Roads were blocked throughout County Antrim and County Down, including

in Bangor, Newtownards, Castlereagh, Clough, Clonduff, Dundonald,

Finaghy, and all across Belfast.

A ‘surprise’ protest planned for outside Leinster House in Dublin

tonight was postponed, but a further rally is planned for Belfast City

Hall on Saturday afternoon.