Riots in the Ardoyne

How events unfolded

How events unfolded

19.48: As the parade approaches, some missiles, bricks and bottles, are thrown by nationalist protesters in Ardoyne at police lines near the junction of Crumlin Road and Woodvale Road. Police estimate an "unruly crowd" of about 300.

19.49: The contentious parade arrives at the disputed area which is being policed by up to 1,200 officers and soldiers. The stone-throwing increases and many Orange parade supporters can be seen taking cover from attack.

19.50: According to the PSNI the crowd attacking the marchers and supporters starts moving alongside the parade although they are separated by screens, lines of officers and Land Rovers. The PSNI water cannon is deployed.

READ MORE

Within one minute police officers in riot gear form what they call a "shield line" and a "dog line" and advance slowly on the crowd to prevent them from following the parade.

19.57: The water cannon is turned off but the attacks on police lines begin again.

19.58: Nationalist marshals in distinctive green tops, together with Gerry Adams and Gerry Kelly, try to calm tension and halt the attacks.

20.11: A hijacked red car arrives on the scene from Brompton Park in Ardoyne and petrol bombs are thrown at police. Some masked people lift the tailgate of the hijacked car in an apparent effort to provide cover from the water cannon while petrol bombs are prepared.

20.12: The car, which is now burning, is pushed towards police lines. There are now about 500-600 people involved in the protest at Ardoyne shops.

20.30: Police cameras show up to a dozen men acting suspiciously at the back of the shops. Many are masked and one is clearly seen wearing surgical gloves. At the same time senior police claim they were giving nationalist marshals and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly an opportunity to calm the rioting. They said Kelly was working to ease tensions since 20.14 and had not been hit by water cannon at this stage.

20.32: Men are seen climbing on to the rooftops of the shops overlooking the rioting and the police lines. Home-made blast bombs are prepared. Police believe these men are dissident republicans.

20.33: The first of nine blast bombs is thrown at police lines and journalists. Six explode injuring police officers and two journalists. Some bombs are packed with penny coins, bolts and nails. At this stage, the most senior PSNI officer said his officers "had no other option than to use the new impact round" (plastic bullet). They say 22 such rounds were fired at "identifiable targets". It is the first time such modified plastic bullets have been used and the first use of "baton rounds" in three years.

Rioting continues for nearly another two hours.