Play
Loyalist flag protesters storm Carrickfergus council meeting as police are attacked in Belfast
Expand
Expand
Expand
Loyalists protesting around the village area in south Belfast December 17 2012
Loyalists protesting, blocking traffic in Derry
MCLAUGHLIN ©
Loyalists protesting, blocking traffic in Derry
MCLAUGHLI ©
Loyalists protesting, blocking traffic in Derry
MCLAUGHLIN ©
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalist hold protests around the village area in south Belfast
Loyalists taking part in a protest over the restrictions of flying the Union flag protesting outside Belfast City Hall
Up to 1,000 people took part in the cross community Peace Gathering in Belfast city centre
Loyalists in Belfast have been protesting against a decision to reduce the number of days the Union flag will fly from City Hall
Protest outside the Alliance Party office in East Belfast belonging to Naomi Long, following the decision by Belfast City Council to stop flying the union flag every day. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday December 4, 2012. See PA story ULSTER Flag. Photo credit should read: Paul Faith/PA Wire
Paul Faith
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a flag protest
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Alliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flag
Police in Carrick come under attack from protestors following a fire at the Alliance party office
Police in Carrick come under attack from protestors following a fire at the Alliance party office
Aftermath of riots in Carrickfergus. Photograph by Mark Winter
Aftermath of riots in Carrickfergus. Photograph by Mark Winter
Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest
Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Northern Ireland- 4th December 2012 Mandatory Credit - Photo-Jonathan Porter/Presseye. Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest.
Loyalist hold protest at Naomi Long's east Belfast Alliance office following a council vote last night which will see the Union Flag only follow certain days. Loyalist protesters pictured on the Newtownards Road during the protest
Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in Belfast
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in Belfast
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in Belfast
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in Belfast
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Paul Faith
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
/
Politicians were threatened last night during a council meeting in Northern Ireland when a group of loyalists stormed the building.
There were no injuries but the session was disrupted in Carrickfergus, north of Belfast on the Co Antrim coast, police said.
Cross-community Alliance Party councillor Noel Williams said about five protesters infiltrated a meeting of Carrickfergus Council.
"They managed to enter the council chamber unhindered without facing any opposition and once inside subjected councillors to verbal abuse, banging on desks and chairs with implements, leaving many feeling threatened," he said.
"It is unacceptable that the town hall was not under police surveillance, especially as violence has broken out at previous protests.
"People have a right to protest peacefully but this incident tonight put many people's safety at risk and must not be tolerated. We live in a democratic society and councillors were meeting tonight as part of this process.
"The Alliance Party has consistently called for protests like these to stop, letting politicians unite as they find a way forward. In the run up to Christmas it is local businesses and the community at large that are suffering."
The disruption came as at least one police officer was injured in new rioting in Belfast as officers were pelted with bricks.
The PSNI said about 80 protests took place across Northern Ireland, with numbers ranging from small groups to hundreds of people.
While most of the protests were peaceful, there was disorder in a number of areas including south and east Belfast, Portadown in Co Armagh and Carrickfergus.
Police came under attack in a number of locations and at least one police officer was injured.
There have been 15 arrests with more to follow as police continue with their robust investigations.
Assistant Chief Constable Dave Jones said: "While most of the protests were peaceful, the violence witnessed in some areas tis totally unacceptable.
"This is now the third week of protests and I am appealing to everyone involved to take a step back from this. It cannot and should not continue. There were arrests this evening and more will follow as we now trawl through evidence gathered by officers out on the ground.
"However, Christmas is less than one week away and now is the time to bring this to an end. I am appealing to those wishing to protest to consider how their actions are affecting the wider community who simply want to enjoy the festive period with their friends and families in peace."
Earlier this month an Alliance party office in Carrickfergus was burned and there have been a series of death threats made against elected representatives in a row over a reduction in the number of days the Union flag is flown from Belfast city hall.
Dozens of Police Service of Northern Ireland members have been injured by violence which erupted earlier this month.
Appeals for the protests to stop have fallen on deaf ears and Belfast traders have warned of a dismal Christmas with the streets relatively empty of shoppers.
Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers yesterday met leaders of Northern Ireland political parties to discuss the flags controversy.
"I have urged Northern Ireland's political leaders to come together to find a way forward to resolve the ongoing protests on flags," she said.
"It is vital that all the parties work together to make progress towards a cohesive and shared society where decisions on issues like flags can be made in a way which respects different views and takes into account the different traditions and identities of modern Northern Ireland."
She said she understood the strength of feeling but the disruption caused by these protests was damaging Northern Ireland's economy, particularly for retailers heavily dependent on shoppers in the run-up to Christmas.
"The fact that threats and protests continue to impede elected representatives in carrying out their duties also continues to be a major concern."
She said there was a lot to look forward to in Northern Ireland.
"None of us want to see the clock wound back to an era of sectarian tension when there is such important work to be done to rebalance Northern Ireland's economy and boost jobs and growth."
Meanwhile police have said that a 19-year-old man was arrested after a firework was thrown at police from a crowd of protesters in Gaol Square, Armagh city.
Arrests
Armagh
Gaol Square:
- 19-year-old
Ballymena
- 20-year-old - Crebilly Road
Belfast
- 25-year-old - Bruce Street
- 18-year-old - Blythe Street
Lisburn
Hillsborough Road:
- 11-year-old
- 12-year-old
- Two 13-year-olds
- 16-year-old
Longstone Street:
- 14-year-old
- Two 15-year-olds
- 17-year-old
- 31-year-old
Carrickfergus
Minorca Place:
- 31-year-old
Belfast Telegraph
Most Read
- Primark NI stores prepare for reopening
- Sinn Fein councillor slammed for 'disgusting' mocking of Prince Philip's death
- AstraZeneca jab: NI blood clot death investigated for any possible link to vaccine... GP insists overwhelming majority 'don't need to worry'
- Belfast 'bucket list' dad Darren Smyth passes away following cancer battle
- Plans for 1,300 new homes and £12m motorway link approved for Lisburn
Top Videos
Play
Play
Play
Latest Northern Ireland
- Arlene Foster left 'humiliated' after celebrity doctor Christian Jessen 'trashed' marriage with false affair rumour tweet
- Dreams do come true as Northern Ireland put women's football on the map and team become role models for young girls
- Doug Beattie reveals lack of trust in NHS and guilt after death of baby grandson
- Arlene Foster describes ‘distress’ caused by affair tweet by celebrity doctor
- Northern Ireland women Euro victory: Sinn Fein's Hargey praises team after Ukraine triumph
Latest from Belfast Telegraph
- Arlene Foster left 'humiliated' after celebrity doctor Christian Jessen 'trashed' marriage with false affair rumour tweet
- Dreams do come true as Northern Ireland put women's football on the map and team become role models for young girls
- Doug Beattie reveals lack of trust in NHS and guilt after death of baby grandson
- Carabao Cup final ‘initially excluded from Government test event programme’
- Heathrow arrivals face six-hour queues