Dozens of police were injured in Belfast on Friday evening in clashes with pro-British Protestants protesting against a parade by Catholic republicans.
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Some 26 police officers were injured, five requiring hospital treatment, when they were attacked with bricks, bottles and other missiles by crowds in the city centre, police said.
Two members of the public were also hurt, while a number of parked cars were set on fire. Police used water cannon and fired baton rounds to try to disperse the rioters.
“Police have come under heavy and sustained attack by crowds intent on creating disorder,” Assistant Chief Constable George Hamilton said.
He called on community leaders to work to reduce tensions.
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Protestant loyalist protesters had tried to block part of the route of a planned republican parade marking the anniversary of the introduction by British authorities of internment without trial on August 9, 1971.
Protestant loyalist protesters had tried to block part of the route of a planned republican parade marking the anniversary of the introduction by British authorities of internment without trial on August 9, 1971
