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08/01/2013
Flag Violence 'Depressing' - Villiers
Northern Ireland’s Secretary of State has described as "profoundly depressing" the recent rioting over the flying of the union flag at Belfast City Hall.
Theresa Villiers was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
She said Northern Ireland was being "held to ransom” by the protests and called an end to all demonstrations – including those that are peaceful.
Ms Villiers' comments came as the PSNI was under fire for a fifth consecutive night over the restrictions on the flying of the union flag.
Plastic bullets were fired by police as protesters used hatchets, sledge hammers and petrol bombs, set barricades alight and threw rocks, stones and bottles.
"It's not acceptable that those who say they are defending a union flag are actually doing it by hurling bricks and petrol bombs at police," Ms Villiers said. "It's disgraceful, frankly."
She said she was "fully supportive of the great efforts the PSNI are making to crack down robustly on those who continue to break the law" and called for the protests to end so that politicial dialogue could continue over the issue of flags and emblems.
"All these protests have to stop altogether, even the peaceful protests are causing disruption and even they are making it far more difficult to have a proper dialogue to resolve these kinds of issues," she told BBC Radio Ulster.
"Not only is it disgraceful in terms of injuries to police officers and people who live in the areas affected by the riots, it's also doing huge damage to Northern Ireland's image abroad."
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker was also speaking on the programme.
He said the riots had become a matter of "national security".
"People may disagree with decisions that are taken but in a democracy you cannot have violence on the streets as a way of trying to bring about change to those decisions."
104 people have been arrested since the protests began on 3 December.
(IT)
Theresa Villiers was speaking on BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.
She said Northern Ireland was being "held to ransom” by the protests and called an end to all demonstrations – including those that are peaceful.
Ms Villiers' comments came as the PSNI was under fire for a fifth consecutive night over the restrictions on the flying of the union flag.
Plastic bullets were fired by police as protesters used hatchets, sledge hammers and petrol bombs, set barricades alight and threw rocks, stones and bottles.
"It's not acceptable that those who say they are defending a union flag are actually doing it by hurling bricks and petrol bombs at police," Ms Villiers said. "It's disgraceful, frankly."
She said she was "fully supportive of the great efforts the PSNI are making to crack down robustly on those who continue to break the law" and called for the protests to end so that politicial dialogue could continue over the issue of flags and emblems.
"All these protests have to stop altogether, even the peaceful protests are causing disruption and even they are making it far more difficult to have a proper dialogue to resolve these kinds of issues," she told BBC Radio Ulster.
"Not only is it disgraceful in terms of injuries to police officers and people who live in the areas affected by the riots, it's also doing huge damage to Northern Ireland's image abroad."
Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Vernon Coaker was also speaking on the programme.
He said the riots had become a matter of "national security".
"People may disagree with decisions that are taken but in a democracy you cannot have violence on the streets as a way of trying to bring about change to those decisions."
104 people have been arrested since the protests began on 3 December.
(IT)
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20 February 2013
Crusaders Call For End To Flag Protests
North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
Crusaders Call For End To Flag Protests
North Belfast football club Crusaders have called for an end to union flag protests around their stadium, after a game against Cliftonville last Saturday was cancelled.
27 February 2013
Loyalists Arrested Over Flag Protests
Leading members of the loyalist union flag protests in Belfast have been taken into custody. Spokesmen for the Ulster People's Forum Jamie Bryson, 23, and Willie Frazer, 52, were arrested earlier. They are being questioned over organising and participating in unlawful parades.
Loyalists Arrested Over Flag Protests
Leading members of the loyalist union flag protests in Belfast have been taken into custody. Spokesmen for the Ulster People's Forum Jamie Bryson, 23, and Willie Frazer, 52, were arrested earlier. They are being questioned over organising and participating in unlawful parades.
05 June 2013
606 Offences Recorded By Operation Dulcet
A total of 606 offences have been recorded and 338 people charged under Operation Dulcet, according to the PSNI. The investigation was set up in the wake of the union flag protests, which began on 3 December last year when Belfast Councillors voted to restrict the number of days the union flag could fly above City Hall.
606 Offences Recorded By Operation Dulcet
A total of 606 offences have been recorded and 338 people charged under Operation Dulcet, according to the PSNI. The investigation was set up in the wake of the union flag protests, which began on 3 December last year when Belfast Councillors voted to restrict the number of days the union flag could fly above City Hall.
06 March 2013
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
St George's Rent Request Dismissed
Belfast City Council has turned down a request from St George's market traders for two months rent free to compensate for lost trade during Union Flag Protests. The traders have noted their disappointment but have welcomed the councils plans not increase stall fees for 2014. Free rent would have cost the council just over £65,000.
05 February 2013
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
75% Believe Flag Protests Should Stop
Over 75% of people believe the union flag protests at Belfast City Hall should stop, according to the BBC. BBC Spotlight surveyed the public in an opinion poll on the continuing protests over the limiting of the flying of the union flag at City Hall. Belfast City Councillors voted on 3 December to restrict the flying of the flag to designated days.
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