Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins has strongly condemned violent attacks on public transport and civil infrastructure that took place tonight.

The Minister's statement follows a series of disturbances in Belfast where homes, businesses, and family vehicles were targeted, culminating in the hijacking and burning of a Translink Glider vehicle.

Minister Kimmins said: "The attack in North Belfast last night was heinous and wrong. However, what we have seen this evening is to be utterly condemned. Attacking homes, burning family cars, attacking businesses, and damaging our public transport and our roads is totally unacceptable and it must be called out by all political leaders. "Racism, intimidation and violence are wrong wherever they occur, and it is clear that this attack is being used to spread fear, hatred and division. Mindlessly damaging our public transport and our infrastructure achieves nothing, other than to remove vital services and resources from communities who rely on them."

Following the escalation of violence and the destruction of the Glider, Translink was forced to suspend a number of public transport services across the city to ensure the safety of employees and passengers.

The Minister extended her support to those caught up in the disruption, adding: "My thoughts are with the driver and passenger in the Glider that was hijacked and set alight. Thankfully, I'm told both are okay, but it must have been a very frightening experience for them.

"I commend Translink staff who were out working to deliver vital public transport links to local communities this evening before despicable action caused services to be suspended."