19/07/2001

FURTHER VIOLENCE ON STREETS OF NORTH BELFAST

VIOLENCE between loyalist and republican residents has erupted overnight in the Whitewell area of north Belfast.

Nine police officers and several civilians were hurt in the disturbances on Wednesday 18 July, during which a small home-made bomb was thrown and rival crowds hurled dozens of petrol bombs and stones.

Loyalists in White City claim republicans from the lower Whitewell Road carried out unprovoked attacks on their homes.

A senior RUC officer said it was the most serious civil disturbance in the area for a long time and urged both sides to end the violence: “It has got to stop. There is going to be somebody either killed or seriously injured. If it wasn't for the excellent work by police last night in keeping the two communities apart, and the work of community representatives, it would have been more serious.”

Democratic Unionist Party councillor for the area, Ian Crozier, said republicans were orchestrating the attacks on Protestant areas.

However, Sinn Fein councillor Eoin O Broin has denied that republicans were involved and has claimed that loyalist paramilitary elements were deliberately stoking up difficulties and problems.

Earlier, there was trouble on the Limestone Road and at Alexandra Park Avenue where residents said their homes were attacked by nationalists.

Meanwhile, in east Belfast, a man, woman and a nine-year-old boy escaped injury in a pipe bomb attack. The blast happened at about 9pm on Wednesday evening in an entry at the back of Kyle Street in the Sydenham area. The device was found in a domestic refuse bin. There were no reports of any injuries and a motive for the attack has not yet been established. (AMcE)

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