Rioters who have plunged north Belfast into chaos are trying to murder police officers, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan claimed today.
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RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan.
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Sir Ronnie launched a scathing attack on rival loyalist and nationalist factions after another night of gun attacks and petrol-bombing which has left more than 60 officers wounded.
He said: "My officers are being targeted for murder in these gun and bomb attacks."
As Catholic parents taking their children to school were halted at police lines in the Ardoyne for a second day the Chief Constable assailed what he said were elements inflaming the tense stand-off.
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Mr Flanagan said: "My reaction first of all is to compare the magnificent young men and women of the RUC with the scum that attack them - people whose mission in life is to fly flags and strut about in balaclavas thinking they are either Ireland's finest or Ulster's finest.
"I think it's pathetic. I just wish everyone in Northern Ireland would wake up to that fact."
He echoed earlier security force assessments the attacks were more orchestrated among loyalist paramilitaries.
He added: "That doesn't detract from the violence meted out by those on the nationalist side but there's evidence of orchestration."
PA