In Pictures: Tragedy and trouble overshadow Twelfth
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
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Twelfth celebrations were marred yesterday by violence and tragedy after several police officers were injured when they came under sustained attack and one woman died when she was struck by a car at a parade.
Shots were fired at the PSNI during the return leg of a parade in the Ardoyne in north Belfast as officers were attacked by republican youths throwing petrol bombs, fireworks and stones.
As trouble flared in Belfast, marchers and spectators in Co Down were left stunned by the death of a 30-year-old woman taking part in a parade.
A nine-year-old boy was also injured when the woman, who played in a flute band, was struck by a car which was part of the Orange Order parade in Killyleagh.
Tensions also spilled over at several other Twelfth demonstration locations.
In Rasharkin, which has seen sectarian attacks escalate in recent times, petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks and stones were thrown as an Orange parade passed through.
Three police officers were injured.
Meanwhile, marchers in Londonderry were spat at as youths threw beer cans and bottles at them and Armagh city was the centre of a major security alert after a small explosion.
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Comments
88 Comments
pat, nobody mentioned mere london. We have supporters from all over the world coming for the twelfth and celebrate our culture. Africa, Australasia, north america and hundreds of other countries too. It must gall you to see such global support for the oo. I disagree about europe, and so it seems does a large number and increasing in the rest of the uk. The ukip made significant gains recently, as the british public are sick of eu interference.I agree wholeheartedly with that, and wish someday the uk to come out of the eu altogether. Nobody is squealing, just you and your backward nationalist intolerant community. We march on, dispite the violence and threats. no surrender.
Posted by stephen | 17.07.09, 10:14 GMT
Stephen, with every step you are marching yourself even more out of favour with London which very accurately regards you as an embarrassment in 2009. No one is threatening you, or your God damn heritage.
In this ever changing world the prosperous future for both parts of Ireland, united or not, is as a willing member(s) of the evolving European family.
And before you squeal about "freedom", read the Penal Laws, and then lets hear from you.
slan go foill
Posted by Patrick | 17.07.09, 07:35 GMT
we will march forever. no surrender.
Posted by stephen | 16.07.09, 09:35 GMT
RMS, Northern Ireland became a country in 1921, on 3 May. "Such ignorance of Ireland's history is one of the reasons for the bigotry displayed by many of the commentators." Pot, kettle and black. If you don't know the facts try using Wikipedia or a book before you make a fool of yourself.
Posted by Marches for all | 15.07.09, 14:58 GMT
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Mathew 19:19
Is the Orange Order a Christian organisation set up to promote the Protestant Christian faith? If so then why do they treat their neighbours with such contempt?
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:31
Would any member of the Orange Order like an unwanted Roman Catholic parade to march through their area? If not how can they call themselves Christians and yet parade unwanted past their neighbours homes?
Explanation??
Posted by JC | 15.07.09, 11:11 GMT
Angry Taxpayer | 14.07.09, 14:49 GMT
But you're not English and your country is still seriously messed up!!
PS the only history I need know about NI is that its seriously messed up - don't try and convince yourself otherwise.
Posted by English | 15.07.09, 10:19 GMT
Éamonn | 14.07.09, 14:43 GMT
I hear what you say but your country is still seriously messed up
Posted by English | 15.07.09, 10:15 GMT
Id just like to point out to Marches for all; that i said parades on both sides (Nationalist and unionist) that are going to cause trouble should be banned postponed untill there is no longer a threat of violence. Not all parades just the ones that are guaranteed to cause trouble.
Northern Ireland is not a protestant country. It is a country with 1.7 million citizens. With a large nationalist minority. Perhaps if you recognise these people. Flare ups like this could be left in the past.
Posted by Éamonn | 15.07.09, 09:58 GMT
Susan, If you would read the article above and see who caused the trouble -"were attacked by republican youths throwing petrol bombs, fireworks and stones." SO if THEY would stay away the parades would be Peaceful.
Posted by Stuart | 14.07.09, 23:32 GMT
for those that are agreeing with terrorists in trying to get these parades banned, its a very sad point of view and I thought people in this country would have grew up!, I'm just happy we live in a free country were idotioc points of view are the minority!
Posted by Phil | 14.07.09, 22:44 GMT
orangemen should pick up the tab for the psni protection. Then we'll see how enthusiastic they are to march , as stated by angry Taxpayer .
I think we could protect ourselves if you`r so concerned about taxpaters money , but i don`t think it would go down very well .
And after all we are entitled to protection from scum as we actually pay taxes as well .
Posted by fed up being used for target practise | 14.07.09, 22:19 GMT
Democratic and non democratic governments should be allowed to peacefully coexist, that's what international law and the balance between individual and collective rights is all about. Developing Northern Ireland into a principality with an unelected college of district ministers to administer referendum legislation while leaving the rest of the political structure intact can achieve this. Northern Ireland is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Posted by Richard D. Priest, Jr. | 14.07.09, 21:48 GMT
sean says"these orange men and their parades are not wanted in the 21st century. they march around in salvation army style bands playing FTP music, flying the flag of the invader to our country with hate in their hearts and they expect the native people of ireland to let them get on with it" Don`t you think there`s a slight contradiction in this sean? Are you sure you live in the 21st century?You do make me laugh sometimes.This is why I think comment boards are fantastic.They show up some of the dated thinking still around.
Posted by Cliff | 14.07.09, 21:20 GMT
I utterly deplore the violence which happened yesterday by Republican thugs. Why oh why do the Orangmen insist on marching through Catholic Areas? The Orange Order is so so sectarian, but my heart goes out to the Protestant family driven from their home by thugs. Northern Ireland is every bit as repellant as it was when I was there in the 1970's. Everybody should ostracise nasty vile sectarian organisations like the Orange Order and the AOH. I look foward to the day when there is a pluralist Ireland.
Posted by Patrick Murphy | 14.07.09, 21:17 GMT
In Canada, we view events in Northern Ireland with both disgust and confusion....simply out, the whole "orange" spectacle is well past it's day. Give up already. It causes and leads to violence, resentment and evidently, loss of life. Common sense is incapable of shining through in the North, a bastion of sectarian anger and stupidity. The Unionist community would hate it see Catholics and Nationalists parade through "their| own streets, so let common sense reign. Enough already!!!!
Posted by Andy | 14.07.09, 20:50 GMT
Colin - Thanks for that. Yes please assume I'm against all organisations (apart from churches themselves I'd say) who refuse membership based on religion. That includes the AOH and too many others to list in 500 characters. How dare any organisation tell you (or me or anybody) they can't participate because of our particular religious backgrounds? It's not acceptable in business and it's not acceptable in wider society.
Posted by Farrah | 14.07.09, 20:50 GMT
RMS,
It is estimated that 700,000 people participated in or watched the parades on the twelfth. This is the biggest festival in Northern Ireland, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands, and it's getting bigger and better every year.
Susan,
Over 600 parades enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in almost every town and village in Northern Ireland. Even if your idea was a good one, there wouldn't be enough stadia in Northern Ireland to accommodate the Twelfth!!
Posted by Jeff | 14.07.09, 20:35 GMT
Let both communities celebrate their country & their heritage. Let the Protestants celebrate the 12th just as freely as the Catholics celebrate St Patricks Day!
Posted by Foreign resident | 14.07.09, 20:06 GMT
Linz I cant believe the BT allowed your comments to be printed, such rubbish is not welcome in N Ireland and you are the type of person who will always give NI a bad name. Grow up and get real.
Posted by Frank | 14.07.09, 19:10 GMT
I am now living in Florida.I have often thought of returning home but when i see the stuff that goes on,not only in the marching season but the hatred towards foreigners living in our country.I grew up catholic and was fortunate enough that my parents had the sense to sit down when i was a kid and let me kmow that i did not have to agree with everything that my protestant friends stood for but to respect their opinions.That i am forever greatful for.This is sad to see.
Posted by Paul | 14.07.09, 18:55 GMT
88 Comments