Menu
23/06/2011
Belfast Peaceful As Stewards Step-in
The danger of further rioting in the Short Strand area of east Belfast has been avoided after community stewards stepped in to quell new confrontations, during Wednesday evening and into the early hours of Thursday morning.
The flashpoint area on the Lower Newtownards Road remained largely peaceful despite two nights of violence, rioting and shooting incidents.
Loyalist and republican groups faced off in the area over several hours before short scuffles broke out, but local community workers stepped in to extinguish the flash violence.
Reports on Thursday morning also suggested that a group of nationalist youths attacked police vehicles, but were stopped by the local stewards.
Earlier this week the rioting saw violent scenes, which have drawn considerable internation attention, and were described as "orchestrated" by MLAs in Stormont.
SDLP's Conall McDevitt said in the Assembly on Tuesday that the incidents stemmed from an "orchestrated attack".
Mr McDevitt said the rioting developed from a "serious attempt to attack a community in the Short Strand and the retaliation from within that community".
Chris Lyttle of the Alliance party, agreed that the initial attacks were "organised and orchestrated", and said such violence was "unjustifiable and unrepresentative".
"It is destroying the cross-community peace-building and community development work that has happened in the area. It is completely wrong that people there should be living in fear and terror at the hands of a small minority at the moment."
Community workers and politicians met on Wednesday on the direction of the First Minister Peter Robinson, while a senior NI Government official has been appointed to work with both communities.
Speculation is growing in some quarters that an initiative from a US based private funding foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, could be used to help relations between the two communities in the area.
The Contested Space Programme - a funding programme designed to limit violence in interface areas - was planned to be implanted in 2014, while some six areas were expected to be involved in the pilot scheme.
(DW/BMcC)
The flashpoint area on the Lower Newtownards Road remained largely peaceful despite two nights of violence, rioting and shooting incidents.
Loyalist and republican groups faced off in the area over several hours before short scuffles broke out, but local community workers stepped in to extinguish the flash violence.
Reports on Thursday morning also suggested that a group of nationalist youths attacked police vehicles, but were stopped by the local stewards.
Earlier this week the rioting saw violent scenes, which have drawn considerable internation attention, and were described as "orchestrated" by MLAs in Stormont.
SDLP's Conall McDevitt said in the Assembly on Tuesday that the incidents stemmed from an "orchestrated attack".
Mr McDevitt said the rioting developed from a "serious attempt to attack a community in the Short Strand and the retaliation from within that community".
Chris Lyttle of the Alliance party, agreed that the initial attacks were "organised and orchestrated", and said such violence was "unjustifiable and unrepresentative".
"It is destroying the cross-community peace-building and community development work that has happened in the area. It is completely wrong that people there should be living in fear and terror at the hands of a small minority at the moment."
Community workers and politicians met on Wednesday on the direction of the First Minister Peter Robinson, while a senior NI Government official has been appointed to work with both communities.
Speculation is growing in some quarters that an initiative from a US based private funding foundation, The Atlantic Philanthropies, could be used to help relations between the two communities in the area.
The Contested Space Programme - a funding programme designed to limit violence in interface areas - was planned to be implanted in 2014, while some six areas were expected to be involved in the pilot scheme.
(DW/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 September 2004
Good community relations to begin at school
Schools will play a pivotal role in the fight against racial discrimination according to Home Office guidelines published today. The new Community Cohesion Standards for Schools have been developed by the Education Practitioner Group and seek primarily to promote community cohesion and race equality.
Good community relations to begin at school
Schools will play a pivotal role in the fight against racial discrimination according to Home Office guidelines published today. The new Community Cohesion Standards for Schools have been developed by the Education Practitioner Group and seek primarily to promote community cohesion and race equality.
21 June 2011
Belfast Riots Deflect From US Open Win
As Northern Ireland stepped up onto the world stage following Co Down golfer Rory McIlroy's stunning victory in the US Open on Sunday, with international accolades flowing, the overnight news was instead grim.
Belfast Riots Deflect From US Open Win
As Northern Ireland stepped up onto the world stage following Co Down golfer Rory McIlroy's stunning victory in the US Open on Sunday, with international accolades flowing, the overnight news was instead grim.
18 March 2011
Edinburgh Airport Reopens
Following an evacuation, over the discovery of a suspicious package, Edinburgh airport has now reopened. After police sealed off the surrounding area, operator BAA had advised passengers not to travel to the terminal. However no flights had been cancelled. A BAA spokesman said flights had been continuing to land and take off from the airport.
Edinburgh Airport Reopens
Following an evacuation, over the discovery of a suspicious package, Edinburgh airport has now reopened. After police sealed off the surrounding area, operator BAA had advised passengers not to travel to the terminal. However no flights had been cancelled. A BAA spokesman said flights had been continuing to land and take off from the airport.
04 January 2010
Anglian Solider Killed In Helmand
A British solider has been killed in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. The Ministry of (MoD) said the man was caught in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Nad-e Ali area yesterday. He was from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. The soldier's name has not yet been released, but the MoD said his family have been informed.
Anglian Solider Killed In Helmand
A British solider has been killed in the Helmand province of Afghanistan. The Ministry of (MoD) said the man was caught in an explosion while on foot patrol in the Nad-e Ali area yesterday. He was from the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment. The soldier's name has not yet been released, but the MoD said his family have been informed.
18 August 2009
Men Sought Over Bradford Murder
Police in Bradford are seeking four suspects over the murder of a man who was stabbed to death in Bradford in the early hours of Monday morning. The victim was found after police were called to reports of an attack at an address in Little Horton Lane in the Canterbury area around 1am on Monday. He died at the scene.
Men Sought Over Bradford Murder
Police in Bradford are seeking four suspects over the murder of a man who was stabbed to death in Bradford in the early hours of Monday morning. The victim was found after police were called to reports of an attack at an address in Little Horton Lane in the Canterbury area around 1am on Monday. He died at the scene.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
