11 hurt during contentious loyalist march
Eleven police officers were wounded as sectarian rioting flared at a flashpoint loyalist parade in north Belfast.
Several Orange Order marchers were also injured during violent clashes that saw petrol bombs, stones, golf balls and bottles hurled.
At least one police officer was injured as rival mobs threw stones, golf balls and bottles.
Water canons were fired in a bid to drive back crowds gathered at the nationalist Ardoyne interface for the Tour of the North parade last night.
Police District Commander Mike Little hit out at the troublemakers, saying the events “are extremely disappointing”.
“Police will investigate the attacks on the parade by protesters as it passed the Ardoyne shopfronts.
“We will also investigate a breach of the Parades Commission determination by the protesters and subsequent disturbances.
“Police also came under sustained attack, which included attacks with petrol bombs. I’m extremely proud of the work undertaken by my officers to return the area to normal as quickly as possible.”
A massive security operation had been put in place for the controversial procession, one of the first in the annual Protestant marching season.
Scores of Land Rovers lined the route where Orangemen returned from the main parade past the Ardoyne shopfronts.
Nationalist residents who objected to the route taken were kept back by officers in riot gear. But as the Orangemen passed by, missiles were launched.
Mr Little vowed to hunt down those behind the attacks.
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