A burned out car during disturbances which erupted in east BelfastPolice on patrol during disturbances which erupted in east BelfastLoyalist protesters on their way to Belfast City HallA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastPSNI in Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastPSNI officers in Castlereagh Street of east BelfastA car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastPress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Sunday 6th January 2013 - A car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east Belfast this evening following a loyalist protest.
A campaign of street demonstrations has been ongoing since Belfast City Council took a vote on 3 December which limited the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.
Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.A car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastPress Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - Sunday 6th January 2013 - A car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east Belfast this evening following a loyalist protest.A campaign of street demonstrations has been ongoing since Belfast City Council took a vote on 3 December which limited the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.Picture by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.A car burns in the Castlereagh Street of east BelfastLoyalist protesters block of the Newtownards Road Belfast where shots are reported to have been fired on Saturday January 5 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast City Hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast City Hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast City Hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast City Hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist Protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013. Ongoing protests and demonstrations continue at the removal of the Union flag from the city hall. The protest was largley peacfull with only minor skermishes.Picture Mark McCormick.PSNI officers on the Lower Newtownards after a Loyalist flag protest at Belfast City HallWillie Frazer at loyalist protests near Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013Willie Frazer talks to Sara Girvin as loyalist protestors converge on Belfast city hall. Picture date: Saturday January 5, 2013PSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsLoyalist flag protest at Belfast City HallLoyalist flag protest at Belfast City HallLoyalist flag protest at Belfast City Hall.PSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower Newtownards tLoyalist flag protest at Belfast City HallLoyalist flag protest at Belfast City HallPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower NewtownardsPSNI officers on the Lower Newtownards road, Belfast January 5 2013Castlereagh Street area of east Belfast following loyalist rioting January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013A burning barricade on the Newtownards road area of Belfast, where police have been targeted by riotersFlag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Flag protest at Cluan Place, January 3 2013Carrickfergus flag protest. January 2, 2013Carrickfergus Flag Protest, January 2 2013.Loyalists across Northern Ireland have been protesting since councillors in Belfast voted to limit the number of days they fly the Union flagLoyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Jackie McDonald has warned that loyalist protests cannot succeed in having the Union flag reinstated above Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalist protestors and PSNI officers pictured at Belfast City Hall on 22 December 2012Loyalists block the Sandy Row area of Belfast as part of a mass protest over flagsUlster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt and First Minister Peter Robinson were among those holding talks about the Union flag dispute in BelfastLoyalists protesting around the village area in south Belfast December 17 2012Loyalists protesting, blocking traffic in DerryLoyalists protesting, blocking traffic in DerryLoyalists protesting, blocking traffic in DerryLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalist hold protests around the village area in south BelfastLoyalists taking part in a protest over the restrictions of flying the Union flag protesting outside Belfast City HallUp to 1,000 people took part in the cross community Peace Gathering in Belfast city centreLoyalists in Belfast have been protesting against a decision to reduce the number of days the Union flag will fly from City HallProtest 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 WireAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a flag protestAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagAlliance party office which was set on fire in Carrickfergus after a protest rally over the Union flagPolice in Carrick come under attack from protestors following a fire at the Alliance party officePolice in Carrick come under attack from protestors following a fire at the Alliance party officeAftermath of riots in Carrickfergus. Photograph by Mark WinterAftermath of riots in Carrickfergus. Photograph by Mark WinterLoyalist 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 protestLoyalist 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 protestLoyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in BelfastLoyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in BelfastLoyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in BelfastLoyalist protestors carrying Union flags clash with police outside the City Hall in BelfastLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City HallLoyalist protestors pictured at Belfast City Hall
Loyalist violence over the flying of the union flag will be firmly dealt with for as long as necessary, Northern Ireland's police chief has declared.
Matt Baggott's warning came just hours before fresh disturbances erupted in Belfast, with police coming under attack for a fourth night in a row.
A mob hurled steel barriers, bricks, fireworks and bottles at officers patrolling Castlereagh Street in the east of the city.
A protest in the area earlier in the day had dispersed, before factions broke away and launched an onslaught on police lines.
Disorder was also reported on Mountpottinger Road and Beersbridge Road, where a car was set ablaze. But PSNI chief constable Mr Baggott has signalled his rank-and-file were fully prepared to deal with the ongoing street disturbances.
"I want to commend the tireless courage of my officers at this very difficult time," he said. "Fifty two colleagues have now been injured while protecting the community during a series of violent incidents. You may be assured there will be sufficient resources in the event of more disorder for however long is necessary."
Mr Baggott said the PSNI will do "everything possible" to maintain law and order and deal firmly with the ugly scenes that have marred Northern Ireland over recent days. He added: "As you have seen in the last few days we will continue to apprehend and put people before the courts."
So far, 70 people have been arrested in connection with the sporadic rioting over the flying of the union flag on Belfast's City Hall. Through special sittings of the city's magistrates court, 47 people have already being charged. On Saturday, frontline officers reported coming under gunfire. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
More than 1,000 demonstrators had earlier marched on City Hall, but despite tense scenes and some scuffles the rally passed off without major incident. As the flag-waving crowds broke up, violence again flared on the Newtownards Road and surrounding areas in the traditionally unionist east of the city.
Around 100 loyalists hurled petrol bombs, fireworks, smoke canisters, bricks and other masonry at officers, the PSNI said. Laser pens were also directed at officers' faces. Police responded with water cannon and fired three plastic bullets. One officer was injured.
