Eight injured amid flag trouble
Eight people – including five police officers – have been injured during trouble which erupted after a controversial vote was passed to fly the Union flag only on designated days at Belfast City Hall.
Two of the hurt officers have been hospitalised. Two security staff at City Hall have also been injured.
A Press Association photographer has sustained an injury too.
A large crowd of loyalists also gathered at Albertbridge Road in east Belfast on Monday night.
“Crowds have now dispersed from the City Hall and Newtownards Road areas,” a police statement said.
“Additional PSNI resources have been deployed and Police continue to deal with disorder,” the police spokesperson added.
Over one thousand people gathered to protest outside the building prior to the council meeting taking place.
Unrest broke out after protesters tried to gain access to the grounds of Belfast City Hall through the rear gates after the vote.
Windows of Belfast City Hall have also been smashed and it is believed that cars in the vicinity have also been damaged.
UTV’s Sharon O’Neill tweeted: “Riot police arrived at city hall.”
Riot Police arrived city hall
— Sharon O'Neill (@sharon_utv) December 3, 2012
The flag has flown outside the historic building every day for more than a century.
The Alliance amendment supporting the flying of the Union flag on 17 designated days was passed by 29 votes to 21.
Party leader David Ford described the result as “a clear victory for the Alliance Party”.
The move brings Belfast City Hall into line with Stormont and other Government buildings.
It comes after the council’s strategic policy and resources committee voted 11-9 in favour of removing the flag completely last month – a move supported by Sinn Féin and the SDLP.
Unionist politicians did not back the proposals.
Alliance Councillor Laura McNamee condemned the violent scenes, which followed Monday’s vote.
“We recognise anyone’s right to a peaceful protest, however what has been taking place outside Belfast City Hall tonight has been neither peaceful or respectful. This was proven when a number of protesters pushed past police and invaded the City Hall.”
Sinn Féin councillor Jim McVeigh said: “Unfortunately it looks like the police were not prepared for the threat.
“The people that called this rabble, these thugs onto the street have to take responsibility and that’s some of the politicians at City Hall as well,” the councillor claimed.
Mr McVeigh added that the politicians in question should condemn the violence and “go out and reason with these people.”
DUP Councillor Alex Easton said that people needed to realise the frustration in the Unionist community over the removal over the Union flag.
He added: “We condemn any violence. It’s not something we want to see.
“Nobody wants to see anyone getting hurt. Any person that’s hurting anyone is wrong and it has to be condemned.”
Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers said he was not surprised violence had flared.
“There is a real anger,” he said. “I cannot condone violence but people do not realise just how strongly the people in Northern Ireland think about flying the flag over City Hall.”
SDLP councillor Tim Attwood said the violence was “an outrage.”
“This was an appalling spectacle, resulting in significant damage to property and, most alarmingly, injury to a number of those seeking to keep City Hall secure, and our thoughts are with those who were hurt.
“Any attempt at a resort to mob rule cannot be countenanced,” he added.
Traffic has been affected in the city centre and in east Belfast.
