Third successive night of violence in Northern Ireland
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, July 14, IRNA -- Police in Belfast have come under gunfire for the last three successive nights, with Northern Ireland's political leaders condemning the violence, which has been blamed on dissident Irish republicans.
Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, who were holding talks with Chief Constable Matt Baggot about the flare up in violence, denounced the "thuggery and vandalism" of the rioters.
Both Robinson, the leader of the Democratic Unionists, and Sin Fein’s McGuinness were criticised on Tuesday by Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay for failing to provide more leadership.
The renewal of violence come at the height of controversial pro-British Orange Order marches that are held every year, provoking tension among the minority Catholic communities.
Up to six shots were reported to have been fired at police on Tuesday night. In the Ardoyne area of the city, petrol bombs and a pipe bomb were thrown by Irish nationalist protesters, while around 100 officers used water cannon and baton rounds.
SDLP councillor Nicola Mallon, who spent most of the Tuesday night in Ardoyne, said children under 10 were again involved in the rioting. She said it was a night of "absolute madness and mayhem" and that local residents are growing increasingly worried about the situation.
Northern Ireland's Justice Minister David Ford said there was an "extremely sinister edge", in terms of those who were encouraging the rioting.
Despite the 1997 Good Friday peace agreement, some politicians have suggested it will take at least a generation to bring any reconciliation between the Protestant and Catholic communities who are largely divided over political allegiances.
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