Marching season ‘most difficult’
The marching season in 2009 was the “most difficult” in recent history, an independent security reviewer has said.
Independent Reviewer Robert Whalley monitors the procedures and operation of the Justice and Security (Northern Ireland) Act 2007.
Mr Whalley said that the past year had been the “most difficult in public order terms since the Whiterock disturbances of 2005”.
He added that the riots that erupted in north Belfast on July 13 were the worst seen in the city for several years.
A total of 21 officers were injured under a barrage of stones, fireworks, blast bombs and other missiles in the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.
Commenting on the reaction from the police, Mr Whalley said: “From my observation throughout the day, the police tactics were based on allowing the parade to pass as planned while containing the disorder with a minimum of force.
“Their conduct in the face of petrol bombs thrown at them from the top of the Ardoyne shop fronts was calm and disciplined, and designed to avoid giving those causing the violence any possible scope or excuse for escalating their actions.”
The violence continued for two more nights and there was also trouble in Lurgan, Armagh, Strabane and Rasharkin.
Mr Whalley said that while the PSNI managed the violence, so-called “military assets” in England were available as a back-up.
“As last year, the police managed to control the parading season without the need for
military support. Military assets were available as a back-up but it was not
necessary to deploy them,” he said.
“But assessment had not yet this year reached the point where such an option could be
totally ruled out, hence the contingent planning involving military units, rear-based
in England.”
