Dodds condems Ardoyne rioting
North Belfast MP Nigel Dodds said,
“I condemn the violence by republicans in Ardoyne this evening. These people have been intent on attacking the police and wreaking havoc in their own community. Such violence is senseless and has clearly nothing to do with protesting against a parade but is just futile rioting.
I commend the Orangemen for their dignity and the way in which they marshalled their parade. The parade passed entirely peacefully. A small nationalist protest was mounted and when concluded everyone dispersed peacefully.
The North and West Belfast Parades Forum must also be praised for their help in marshalling today’s parade. I also pay tribute to those in the nationalist community who worked to try to maintain peace in the area.
It is unfortunate and deeply disappointing that all this hard work has been ruined by a few mindless republicans who were always intent on creating havoc on our streets and attacking the police as part of a wider agenda nothing to do with parades.”
