Union flag protest planned
Decision to protest in Irish capital raises fears of violence after riot six years ago
ULSTER LOYALISTS are planning to demonstrate in Dublin over a decision to restrict the flying of the union flag 160 kilometres away in Belfast.
The decision to protest in the Irish capital next weekend will raise fears of a repeat of the Love Ulster march in Dublin six years ago, which degenerated into a riot.
Loyalist victims’ campaigner Willie Frazer said he had informed police that he and his followers would hold a peaceful protest in Dublin next Saturday. Frazer was one of the organisers of the Love Ulster demonstration, which marched to the Dail (parliament) but triggered rioting and disorder across central Dublin.
The last demonstration by loyalists in Dublin resulted in rioting throughout the city centre with shops looted and police being attacked with petrol bombs and missiles along the city’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell St.
Loyalists are also planning to picket the Irish consulate in Edinburgh as part of co- ordinated protests next weekend even though the Dublin government played no role in the decision to restrict the flying of the union flag in Belfast.
Many of the protests organised against Belfast City Council’s decision to limit the number of days the union flag is flown at city hall have turned violent, with more than 30 police officers injured in disorder since December 10.
The nationalist party the SDLP has called on the Police Service of Northern Ireland to take more firm action against loyalist rioters involved in the violence.
Former British Lions rugby star and leading Conservative in Northern Ireland Trevor Ringland accused the flag protesters of harming the union. ‘‘This disorder and violence against the police is simple thuggery and it will achieve absolutely nothing. Indeed the whole protest movement, if it has any effect at all, is likely to undermine support for the union,’’ Ringland said.
Ten police officers were injured during loyalist rioting in east Belfast on Friday.