Cars torched as tension mounts in east Belfast

MASKED youths attacked police officers and torched cars after apparently being angered when wood was removed from a nationalist bonfire site in Belfast.

Officers were targeted with petrol bombs, bricks and bottles in the Stewart Street and Friendly Street areas of the predominantly nationalist Markets neighbourhood, close to the city centre.

A derelict Credit Union building was also set alight.

Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Andrea Mcmullan blamed the “localised” disorder on a “small group of youths”.

The force tweeted: “Police urge for calm to remain after dealing with some localised disorder in Belfast tonight incl blaze at disused building in Divis.

“Thanks to all those in affected communities who helped settle tensions. People living there do not want this type of behaviour.”

The vandalism unfolded after wood from a bonfire site was taken from the area in a Belfast City Council operation on Monday morning.

Tensions have been mounting in some loyalist and nationalist areas in Belfast this summer as the council took action against a number of unregulated fires. Bonfires will be lit in some nationalist/republican areas this week to mark the anniversary of the introduction of internment.

Deirdre Hargey, Sinn Fein councillor for the Markets area, said: “The damage to cars in Stewart Street is unacceptable and I condemn those responsible in the strongest possible way.”

And Tim Attwood, an SDLP councillor, tweeted: “Outrageous old credit union building torched in Divis – no place for mindless thugs destroying our community.”