A man was charged yesterday with riotous behaviour and inciting others to riot at a sectarian flashpoint in north Belfast last weekend.
Mr Jim Simpson (43), described as a community worker, from Glenrosa Link, Belfast, was remanded in custody after his plea for bail was turned down. Belfast Magistrate's Court heard that the charges related to sectarian clashes at the Limestone Road/Halliday's Road interface, which led to 22 RUC officers being injured.
Objecting to bail, an RUC detective constable said there was serious disorder between rival factions on the Limestone Road last Sunday. "Police responded to try and quell the trouble and 22 officers were injured," he said. The officer said seven blast-bombs were thrown and one was placed on the bonnet of a military vehicle and caused extensive damage.
He said Mr Simpson was seen throwing a half-brick at a police vehicle and was heard to shout at a 30-strong crowd of loyalists in Halliday's Road: "Get back out on the Limestone Road." The crowd then began throwing missiles at a nationalist crowd.
The Resident Magistrate, Mr Philip Mateer, remanded Mr Simpson in custody for a week.