TWO TREATED FOR PLASTIC BULLET INJURIES IN BELFAST
Two men were treated in hospital following disturbances in Belfast on Saturday night, it has emerged.
It is being claimed they were struck by baton rounds fired by police. One remains in hospital.
Police have not confirmed that the men were injured as a result of them firing baton rounds at Broadway Roundabout.
They had fired the rounds after they came under attack from a large crowd throwing stones, fireworks, paint and petrol bombs.
Several officers were hit with missiles, while one was hit with an iron bar. Nine police Land Rovers were also damaged.
The Police Ombudsman was informed about the use of baton rounds by the PSNI and is investigated the claims that two people were hit by them.
It was claimed by Relatives for Justice and the United Campaign Against Plastic Bullets today that a teenager had been hit by a baton round.
A councillor from the area said that he understood that two people were injured.
It is understood that one of those injured has been discharged from hospital while the other is in a stable condition in the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has accused dissidents of trying to exploit tensions in west Belfast and encourage sectarianism.
The MP said career criminals were also involved in the trouble at the weekend and he said “a bit of sense” was needed.
“This is a very good neighbourhood and there is an ongoing contact to try and keep calm, particularly during times of heightened sectarian tensions like the twelfth,” he said.
“According to local people there were others purporting to be from so-called dissident groups who were clearly seeking to encourage the young people in particular. The people in this area are certain they want and end to this trouble and I echo this sentiment.”
On Sunday, police said the riots had been orchestrated.
