Sinn Fein and splinter republican group Eirigi have bitterly clashed in the aftermath of violence in Ardoyne.

Sinn Fein blamed the Real IRA for Twelfth night rioting following a controversial Orange parade in which shots were fired at police lines. Twenty-one police officers were injured.

Condemning the violence, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the dissident factions responsible for orchestrating it were exploiting a situation created by the Orange Order insisting on marching through Catholic areas.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the media should be asking groups such as Eirigi and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, rather than his party, to explain their rationale.

The West Belfast MP said those who had come into the area had easily been able to exploit young people already incensed over the parade and warned they had no interest in the wellbeing of Ardoyne.

But Eirigi general secretary Breandan MacCionnaith said Sinn Fein suggestions it orchestrated the rioting were “a transparent attempt to divert attention away from the outrageous actions of the PSNI” and challenged Sinn Fein to produce evidence.

Confirming a small number of Eirigi members were present in the area in support of a planned peaceful protest against the parade, Mr MacCionnaith — a former Sinn Fein special adviser — said: “Sinn Fein needs to take a reality check and ask themselves why they are now acting as apologists for state violence against the nationalist community?”

The Garvaghy Road residents spokesman added: “It wasn’t so very long ago that Sinn Fein was encouraging its own members and supporters to mobilise in solidarity with communities in Ardoyne, Garvaghy and Ormeau. Sinn Fein would be do better to focus on the actions of their friends in the PSNI than attacking republicans.”

Mr Adams said he was not attempting to justify the violence but appealed to the leadership of the Orange Order to open up talks with Sinn Fein.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: “There is no support in Ardoyne for this parade. The only people who want to go into an area where they are clearly unwelcome... are the Orange Order.

“My biggest frustration is that the Orange Order has contributed nothing to the peace process and still refuses to talk to Sinn Fein at leadership level. Why on earth would they want to play into the hands of those who would want to orchestrate these situations?”

“The Orange Order says it is a Christian, neighbourly organisation... and if you are a Christain, you talk to your neighbour. I have written asking for meetings every year, even to be briefed.”

Mr McGuinness said: “If the Orange Order are serious about wanting to have a cultural festival then they need to act to remove the potential for trouble from the equation.”

Their comments came after Orange Grand Master Robert Saulters said the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has no plans to meet Sinn Fein in the forseeable future.