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Glengormley: lealisti in rivolta. Cinque agenti PSNI feriti. Attaccato ufficio di David Ford

Five police injured in serious disorder

The shell of a torched car after rioting on Friday night at Carnmoney Road, Glengormley. © Pacemaker

Five police officers have been injured during serious disorder in Glengormley, Co Antrim.

A crowd of up to 100 people gathered in the Carnmoney Road area on Friday at around 8.30pm.

Rioters attacked police with bricks and bottles and a car was set on fire.

None of the injured officers required hospital treatment.

A building where the constituency office of Justice Minister David Ford is located was also attacked. A business on the first floor was badly damaged and windows were smashed.

It is understood the disorder erupted after a group of loyalists attempted to remove Irish tricolour flags from lamp posts and were challenged by the PSNI.

Police said calm was restored to the area on Friday night and the road has reopened.

An ongoing investigation into the disorder is underway, a police statement added.

“The vast majority of people in Glengormley are adding real value to their local community, however, a very small minority are intent on causing disruption and harm. We need the continuing assistance and co-operation of local community groups and residents as we carry out our investigations,” the statement read.

Alliance Councillor John Blair has condemned the “despicable” attack on the office of his party leader during the violence.

Mr Blair said it was important that town centres remained shared spaces open to the whole community.

“The most disappointing aspect is that a lot of people are working in the area on behalf of all the community to make Glengormley a safe and successful place.

“Community, business and Council representatives alike have taken great strides towards creating a shared community, especially bringing young people from all backgrounds together,” he added.

“No doubt the people who caused what looked like a planned outbreak of violence had a clear intent to disrupt community relations.

“During the disturbances the building in which David Ford’s constituency office is based was also attacked, with damage done to the office of another tenant. This was a despicable attack and I would urge anyone with information to contact the PSNI as soon as possible.”

A number of Alliance Party offices have been attacked following the decision to restrict the number of days the Union flag flies over Belfast City Hall at the end of last year.

The office belonging to Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson in Carrickfergus was destroyed by arsonists in December.

The party’s only MP, Naomi Long, and a number of local councillors were the recipients of death threats – others had their homes attacked.

To date, the cost of policing the flag dispute in Northern Ireland stands at £20m, with over 210 arrests linked to public disorder made.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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