Loyalists clash with police for seventh successive day

Renewed Loyalist protests were reported on Friday as clashes again broke out with police in areas of Belfast and Lisburn.

Yesterday trouble erupted as police officers arrested a man during a search operation in the Highfield estate on Tuesday afternoon.

Police today confirmed that a man is to appear in court tomorrow on firearms and explosives charges.

On Thursday a crowd in the nearby Forthriver estate off the Ballygomartin Road threw bricks, stones and other missiles at officers. A vehicle was also set on fire in the area.

Later in the day a number of roads were blocked by protestors during rush hour traffic.

Part of the Crumlin Road was closed after a car was hijacked and set on fire and a lorry was set alight on the Ballygomartin Road.

Several vehicles were also set on fire on the West Circular Road while public transport company Translink suspended bus services to Springmartin and Glencairn because of the disturbances. Buses to Ligoniel and Silverstream were also diverted.

Assistant Chief Constable Duncan McCausland said those behind the road blocks, including women and children, were breaking the law: “We have always said that we would be proactive in dealing with this activity on the streets of Belfast. Gathering evidence and reporting people for prosecution, as we have been doing, is a graduated response to dealing with peaceful but illegal protests, mainly involving women and children.

"As these protests have not ceased, officers are now taking further action to ensure that main routes, especially those near major hospitals will be kept open.

“Again, I would appeal to community leaders to step forward and exercise their influence to help bring these protests, which are bringing disruption to the city of Belfast, to an end.”

(MB/SP)