BELFAST BURNING; 1000 rioters pelt police and troops with petrol bombs over Orange parade ban.Byline: By MARION SCOTT BELFAST descended into mayhem last night in scenes that Northern Ireland Northern Ireland: see Ireland, Northern. Northern Ireland Part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland occupying the northeastern portion of the island of Ireland. Area: 5,461 sq mi (14,144 sq km). Population (2001): 1,685,267. thought had been relegated to its bloody history. Violence flared in the wake of a re-routed Orange walk. More than 1000 rioters were involved in clashes in the Shankill Road area, as Loyalist gunmen opened fire. Dozens of police, soldiers and civilians were injured as a barrage of petrol bombs set the streets ablaze. Riot police and troops used plastic bullets and water cannon in attempts to quell the mayhem. Vast sections of Belfast city centre Coordinates: Belfast City Centre is the central business district of the City of Belfast, Northern Ireland. The City Centre was originally centred around the Donegall Street area. became a no-go area as the violence spread, leaving at least six police officers injured. The fighting began after authorities blocked the Orange Order from parading past the hard-line Catholic end of the disputed Springfield Road. Three police officers were hurt in the first clash as Loyalists hurled homemade grenades and petrol bombs. Police were forced to take cover behind armoured vehicles after hearing bursts of automatic gunfire. Masked mobs also blocked several key roads in protest against the decision to change the route of the march. Police said members of two outlawed organisations, the Ulster Defence Association and the Ulster Volunteer Force The Ulster Volunteer Force (more commonly referred to as the UVF) is a Loyalist group in Northern Ireland. The current incarnation was formed in May 1966 as a paramilitary group and named after the Ulster Volunteers of 1912, although there is no direct connection between , were involved. Democratic Unionist Party This article is about the political party in Northern Ireland. For other parties with the name, see Democratic Unionist Party (disambiguation). The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley said: "The Parades Commission are to blame for the mess that has been created. "They treated elected representatives with contempt CAPTION(S): Mayhem; Burning barricades block the Shankill Road area; Riot: Orangeman runs for cover as police fire water cannon; Battle; Soldier uses plastic bullets |
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