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10/01/2002
Serious rioting in Ardoyne keeps primary school closed
Holy Cross Girls’ primary school in north Belfast remained closed following serious rioting overnight.
Widespread sectarian violence flared outside the catholic primary school on Wednesday January 9 as parents collecting their children were blocked by protestors outside the school gates.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said 48 officers were injured and four civilians received wounds from gunshot pellets during the ensuing rioting, which they said had been “highly orchestrated.”
Police came under attack from more than 136 petrol bombs, acid bombs and bricks as pitched battles took place between hundreds of youths and police officers.
The trouble flared in the Ardoyne Road, Crumlin Road and Brompton Park areas early on Wednesday afternoon and lasted until 2am on Thursday. At the peak of the rioting there were about 500 people on the streets.
Six vehicles were hijacked and burned, and police fired eight baton rounds during the violence. Three people were arrested. One man appeared in court on Thursday.
In a follow up search of the Brompton Park area police recovered three crates of ready-made petrol bombs and a container of petrol.
Speaking about the disturbances Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said that although the initial outbreak of violence had been spontaneous, as the situation progressed there were clear indications of the rioting being orchestrated.
Republicans and loyalists have blamed each other for the start of the rioting.
Protestants said Catholics had torn down a wreath placed in memory of a murdered taxi driver.
Catholics said parents and pupils were attacked on their way to collect their children from Holy Cross.
Meanwhile, an armed gang has attacked cars in the car park of a Catholic school in nearby Ballysillan. Up to 20 cars were damaged in the attack by six men at Our Lady of Mercy Girls' Secondary School on Thursday, January 10.
A major clean-up operation was continuing as darkness fell with no resolution is sight for the tense situation. (AMcE)
Widespread sectarian violence flared outside the catholic primary school on Wednesday January 9 as parents collecting their children were blocked by protestors outside the school gates.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said 48 officers were injured and four civilians received wounds from gunshot pellets during the ensuing rioting, which they said had been “highly orchestrated.”
Police came under attack from more than 136 petrol bombs, acid bombs and bricks as pitched battles took place between hundreds of youths and police officers.
The trouble flared in the Ardoyne Road, Crumlin Road and Brompton Park areas early on Wednesday afternoon and lasted until 2am on Thursday. At the peak of the rioting there were about 500 people on the streets.
Six vehicles were hijacked and burned, and police fired eight baton rounds during the violence. Three people were arrested. One man appeared in court on Thursday.
In a follow up search of the Brompton Park area police recovered three crates of ready-made petrol bombs and a container of petrol.
Speaking about the disturbances Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan said that although the initial outbreak of violence had been spontaneous, as the situation progressed there were clear indications of the rioting being orchestrated.
Republicans and loyalists have blamed each other for the start of the rioting.
Protestants said Catholics had torn down a wreath placed in memory of a murdered taxi driver.
Catholics said parents and pupils were attacked on their way to collect their children from Holy Cross.
Meanwhile, an armed gang has attacked cars in the car park of a Catholic school in nearby Ballysillan. Up to 20 cars were damaged in the attack by six men at Our Lady of Mercy Girls' Secondary School on Thursday, January 10.
A major clean-up operation was continuing as darkness fell with no resolution is sight for the tense situation. (AMcE)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
