Orange Order parades go ahead after violent outbursts in Northern Ireland
0 An Orange Order parade in the Ardoyne area of Belfast and bonfires mark the Twelfth of July celebrations while police keep an eye on protesters Thousands of Orange Order members took part in Twelfth of July parades across Northern Ireland yesterday after several nights of sporadic violence in the region.
Two crude but viable pipe bombs and a number of petrol bombs were thrown at officers by republicans on a fifth successive night of disorder in the Bogside area of Londonderry while in Belfast masked men hijacked and torched vehicles amid anger about moves to reduce the size of two loyalist Eleventh Night bonfires.
Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd condemned those involved.
“The disorder we have seen has been caused by a small minority of people who have no regard for their communities,” he said.
Whilethetwelfthhaspassed off peacefully in Northern Ireland in recent years – helped largely by the resolution of a long-standing parading flashpoint dispute in Belfast – the recent disorder means this year’s commemorations took place amid a tense backdrop, with concerns about the prospect of further trouble last night.
The deal between Orangemen and nationalist residents over arguably the most contentious parade – past the nationalist Ardoyne community in north Belfast – ensured that event again proceeded without incident yesterday morning.
That was one of around 600 feeder parades that took place across Northern Ireland, with Orange members and supporting loyalist bands congregating at 17 host venues for events to mark the 1690 victory of Protestant King William of Orange over Catholic King James II at the Battle of the Boyne.
It is the biggest date in the Protestant loyal order parading calendar. On Wednesday night, 13 vehicles were set on fire in Belfast and surrounding towns.
A suspected pipe bomb also detonated close to a police operation to clear a contentious fire site in Belfast while other security alerts prompted the closure of main roads, with one incident preventing newly- arrived passengers exiting Belfast City Airport.
Masked men also used burning cars to block roads close to the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald on the outskirts of Belfast, while a bus with passengers on board was hijacked before being set alight in nearby Newtownards.
Wednesday’s incidents unfolded amid a police warning that the loyalist paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) was planning to “orchestrate and participate in serious disorder” in east Belfast.