Unionist leaders have linked the violence to simmering loyalist tensions over the Irish Sea border imposed as a result of the UK-EU Brexit deal. The new trading border is the result of the Northern Ireland Protocol, introduced to avoid the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland.
Why are loyalists rioting?
The recent violence can be attributed to several factors, but at its heart is anger among loyalists – staunch supporters of the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland – at post-Brexit trading arrangements which have created a series of economic barriers.
Is travel to Northern Ireland safe?
Northern Ireland is extremely safe for tourists to visit. In fact, when Northern Ireland is compared to the rest of the world, it has one of the lowest crime rates among industrialised countries. Indeed, there hasn’t been any indication of foreigners or tourist areas being targeted by terrorists.
What caused the troubles in Northern Ireland?
The conflict began during a campaign by the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association to end discrimination against the Catholic/nationalist minority by the Protestant/unionist government and local authorities. The government attempted to suppress the protests.
What happened in the Belfast Riot?
Rioting in Belfast on Wednesday night was on a scale not seen in Northern Ireland for years, police have said. During several hours of violence, police officers were attacked, petrol bombs were thrown and a bus was burnt. Eight officers were injured at an interface between loyalist and nationalist areas in west Belfast.
How did the police deal with the Northern Ireland riots?
Police officers were called in from other parts of Northern Ireland to help to deal with the rioting. More than 50 officers have been hurt in violence in several areas since the end of last month.
What’s happening in West Belfast?
In west Belfast on Wednesday, rioters clashed along the so-called “peace line” dividing predominantly unionist and nationalist communities, with police struggling to close a gate designed to separate the areas. A bus was set on fire on Lanark Way near the junction with Shankill Road, police said.
Was UVF involved in West Belfast violence?
Senior police sources now say there was no evidence of UVF organisational involvement in last night’s trouble in west Belfast. Earlier the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had suspected that individuals within the paramilitary group had encouraged some of the trouble.
