More than 20 police officers are still on sick leave after the ferocious rioting in Belfast earlier this year, it was revealed tonight.
Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde disclosed two thirds of them were injured when loyalist mobs rioted in September.
Officers were attacked with blast and petrol bombs, as well as live rounds, after an Orange Order march was controversially re-routed.
The rest have still to return to work following republican street violence that surrounded a disputed Twelfth of July parade through Ardoyne, north Belfast.
Ian Paisley jr, a Democratic Unionist representative on the Northern Ireland Policing Board, said he was shocked by the severity of injuries that kept them from their duties.
But he added: "It's a miracle that even more weren't hurt given the sustained rioting from both republicans and loyalists."
The violence surrounding the marching season was the most intense in Northern Ireland for years.
Nearly 100 officers were hurt as Belfast and surrounding towns were engulfed by several nights of street disorder.
The trouble flared over a bitterly contested decision to force Orangemen involved in the annual Whiterock march away from nationalist homes in the west of the city.
Loyalist paramilitary gunmen came onto the streets at the height of the disturbances. Police spent £3 million dealing with the rioting that saw 150 live rounds fired at officers.
PA