Trouble erupts at Tour of the North
Trouble has broken out at the Tour of the North parade in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, with bricks, bottles and stones being thrown at police by loyalist protesters.
The marchers set off from the Orange Hall at Clifton Street at around 7.30pm on Friday, amid significant police presence.
When they arrived at Woodvale Parade, marchers handed over a letter of protest to police over the Parades Commission’s decision not to let two feeder parades pass the Ardoyne shop fronts.
Registering the complaint, North Belfast DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said: “There are residents of Ballysillan and over Ardoyne who have been refused the right to return home this evening at the conclusion of the Parade.”
“That’s a denial of a basic human right – the right of peaceful assembly.
“This is a main road; it should be accessible to people throughout the community.”
Trouble erupted soon after at the top of Twaddell Avenue, with protesters throwing missiles at police and officers in riot gear moving in.
There were also reports that police used water cannons as the disturbance continued late on Friday night.
A police spokeswoman said: “A number of missiles have been thrown and police are monitoring the area.”
Motorists were still being advised to avoid Twaddell Avenue, Woodvale Road, and Crumlin Road after the parade ended.
The Tour of the North is the first contentious parade of the marching season.
The interface area of Ardoyne has been the scene of violent clashes in previous years.
