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Skirmishes as Protestants wrap up marching season in N Ireland
Belfast, July 13: Angry Catholics gathered in North Belfast hurled a volley of bottles and stones at Protestant marchers wrapping up a season of traditional summer rallies across Northern Ireland.
Belfast, July 13: Angry Catholics gathered in North Belfast hurled a volley of bottles and stones at Protestant marchers wrapping up a season of traditional summer rallies across Northern Ireland.
Riot police were out in force in the Catholic stronghold of Ardoyne yesterday as the marchers were pelted with debris despite the erection of 12-foot high barriers to
keep rival sides apart.
Despite the skirmishes, yesterday's marches appeared to be the most peaceful in recent years. Nearly 120,000 people had gathered on Northern Ireland streets, parading or watching traditional rallies by Protestant loyalists who were flourishing the British union flag and sporting the sash of the Protestant orange lodge freemasons' order.
The July 12 annual celebrations are held to mark the battle of the Boyne, where Protestant King William, also known as William of Orange, defeated Catholic King James in 1690. A total 60,000 Protestants marched across the British-ruled province yesterday in celebration of the centuries-old victory.
Catholics see these demonstrations of Protestant dominance as a provocation, and the annual marches are a traditional flashpoint of tensions between the two estranged communities.
But at Crossgar in county down, south of Belfast, a relaxed atmosphere contrasted with the tension and violence of previous years.
Bureau Report
Despite the skirmishes, yesterday's marches appeared to be the most peaceful in recent years. Nearly 120,000 people had gathered on Northern Ireland streets, parading or watching traditional rallies by Protestant loyalists who were flourishing the British union flag and sporting the sash of the Protestant orange lodge freemasons' order.
The July 12 annual celebrations are held to mark the battle of the Boyne, where Protestant King William, also known as William of Orange, defeated Catholic King James in 1690. A total 60,000 Protestants marched across the British-ruled province yesterday in celebration of the centuries-old victory.
Catholics see these demonstrations of Protestant dominance as a provocation, and the annual marches are a traditional flashpoint of tensions between the two estranged communities.
But at Crossgar in county down, south of Belfast, a relaxed atmosphere contrasted with the tension and violence of previous years.
Bureau Report