80 POLICE INJURED WHEN RIOTERS THROW FIREBOMBS IN BELFAST
13 July 2005
Yesterday's Orange Order parade to celebrate the Twelfth of July, "the victory of the Protestant Prince William of Orange over the Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690" turned violent when "dissident republicans linked to the Continuity IRA" attacked police in north Belfast, according to BBC reports.
80 policemen were injured, one seriously, but authorities have reportedly said none of the injuries is life-threatening. A BBC reporter was also injured in the ensuing riots. In Londonderry, the parade was peaceful and without incident, while in Dunloy, a major protest march was carried out peacefully, but with tensions high and reports describing the days events as a "standoff bewteen nationalist residents and Orangemen".
Despite the attack on police in Belfast, the majority of protesters appear to have demonstrated peacefully, including both republicans and "Orangemen". About 30 protesters who were blocking roads were removed "one by one" by police.
The BBC adds "Security forces were also attacked in Brompton Park. A car was hi-jacked and burned and police used a water cannon on nationalist protesters." Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams criticized police for turning to "the water cannon too quickly", allegedly preventing event stewards from keeping crowds under control. [For more: BBC]
