Loyalist mob blamed for Portadown riots
A 100-strong mob of loyalists were behind rioting that took place in Portadown on Friday night, police have said.
Three men have been arrested in connection with the serious public disorder at the interface area between Corcrain Road and Obins Drive in the Co Armagh town.
Officers came under sustained attack from paint bombs, petrol bombs and other missiles – sledge hammers were also used to damage armoured PSNI vehicles.
A police spokeswoman confirmed that a number of plastic baton rounds were fired during the trouble which continued into the early hours of the morning.
It is believed social network sites and mobile phones were used to gather people from the outside the area for what was originally planned to be a peaceful protest over the alleged removal of flags.
As the violence continued into the night, police advised motorists to avoid the Corcrain and Ballyoran areas, Obins Drive, Union Street and surrounding areas.
Sinn Féin MLA John O’Dowd said loyalists were to blame for the trouble.
“What is known is that around 100 loyalists attacked police and attempted to attack nationalist homes in the Portadown area over several hours,” he said.
“I would appeal for calm to return to the streets of Portadown. I’m in no doubt that the vast majority of people, whether they are from the unionist or nationalist community want to see an end to this trouble. They want to see order restored and they want to be able to get on with their lives.”
Upper Bann Alliance councillor Sheila McQuaid called the trouble “deeply damaging” for the local area.
“I am disgusted at the activities of those involved in this disorder,” she said.
“I would appeal for people to act responsibly. This type of incident is deeply damaging and we need to ensure stability to help us grow our economy.”
Police have come under attack across parts of Northern Ireland in the past week.
Rioting already broke out in Portadown on Wednesday night, this time in the Garvaghy Road area.
In the early hours of Tuesday morning two police officers were injured after trouble also erupted in the Craigwell Avenue and Obin Street areas of the town.
