Gunshots Fired, Two People Are Injured in ‘Major’ Belfast Riot, Police Say

[bemildred]

Source: Bloomberg

Northern Ireland police said shots were fired and two men were taken to hospital with gunshot injuries during “major” rioting in east Belfast between Catholics and Protestants which began late yesterday.

“Petrol bombs, fireworks, bricks, stones and smoke bombs were fired during major disorder last night,” a police spokeswoman said in a recorded message today. “It is understood a number of shots were fired from both sides.”

“It was exceptionally serious and I undoubtedly witnessed orchestrated violence,” Conall McDevitt, a lawmaker with the Social Democratic & Labour Party, said in an e-mailed statement. Everybody in the community with “political and faith leadership roles” should work together “to assure that this situation is defused,” he said.

Tension between Catholic and Protestant communities in Belfast rises at this time of year as parades celebrating a 17th century victory over Catholics increase, culminating in hundreds of marches on July 12. East Belfast is predominantly Protestant while the Short Strand area is a Catholic enclave within the district.



Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-21/belfast-riots-send-two-to-hospital-with-gunshot-wounds-as-tension-mounts.html

[Boudica the Lyoness]

1. They march through each others areas, just trying to stir up trouble.

It's nothing but a deadly game for them and this useless, pointless fighting gets old.

I have to add, I do admire their fighting spirit and I believe Americans need more of the Ulsterman fight in them...like fighting for decent healthcare.