Fourth night of riots in Belfast

The PSNI discharged a number of baton rounds last night after rioting broke out for the fourth consecutive night in Belfast.

The PSNI discharged a number of baton rounds last night after rioting broke out for the fourth consecutive night in Belfast.

Petrol bombs were thrown at officers and a car burned out at the Ardoyne shops flashpoint in north Belfast. Police said the violence not as sustained as it had been over the previous three nights.

A number of officers were slightly injured.

Water cannons were deployed in an effort to quell the trouble.

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Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said: “This was a substantially smaller group of people than previous evenings, which included a hardened core of around 12 people who were intent on causing disorder.

“We also had the issue of spectators in the area and I would ask them to think carefully about their safety and stay away in future.

“A number of community workers worked hard to exercise their influence last night and I would thank them for that. However, I would ask them to redouble their efforts. In this way, working together, we can help bring these incidents to an end.

“Alongside our effective police operations during the incidents of disorder, we will now continue to work hard to identify those involved and will be doing our utmost to put people before the courts. We are very clear that we can and we will continue to maintain public safety and public confidence — we would appeal for the assistance of everyone to that end.”

More than 80 police officers have been injured this week in disturbances across Northern Ireland as tensions surrounding the Protestant July 12 commemorations erupted into violence and disorder.

Five arrests have been made by the PSNI following the violence. A 20-year old male is due to appear before Belfast Magistrate's Court this morning charged with disorderly behaviour on the Ormeau Road on Monday.

A PSNI spokesman said a 15-year old has been released and a file is being prepared for the prosecution service.