About 300 students shouting pro-IRA slogans were involved in a two-hour riot in the university area of south Belfast at the weekend. Nineteen police officers were treated for shoulder, arm and chest injuries, and a dozen students suffered head injuries.
The incident happened early on Saturday after St Patrick's Day celebrations. The students, many of whom were from Queen's University, were leaving Renshaw's Hotel in University Street when they became involved in a confrontation with the RUC.
They shouted "SS RUC" and pro-IRA slogans. The RUC ordered them to disperse, but they refused. When police officers donned riot gear, they were pelted with bricks, bottles and stones. Serious fighting then broke out, with the crowd uprooting trees and pavement stones to hurl at police.
Beer kegs and bollards were also thrown. The RUC called for reinforcements as the students rocked police Land Rovers.
The trouble spread to Fitzroy Avenue and Carmel Street where wheelie-bins were set on fire. The RUC used batons but did not fire plastic bullets.
Nine people have been charged with public order offences and will appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court next month. RUC Inspector Jim McCrudden said police were called to the scene by the management of a licensed premises in University Street where they were met by a hostile crowd.
The Holy Land/University Residents Group is to meet tonight to discuss the incident.