An independent team of observers is needed to establish who is responsible for triggering street clashes along one of Belfast's sectarian interfaces, it was claimed today.
After another night of violence in east Belfast, Sinn Féin councillor Mr Joe O'Donnell called on the British and Irish Governments and the Northern Ireland Assembly to appoint an independent team to monitor the flashpoint area between the nationalist Short Strand and loyalist Cluan Place.
Mr O'Donnell said today: "What we need here is something that will instill some sort of trust and belief in these communities.
"There a number of things which may help the situation. One of those may be that there are independent observers, if you like, who are recognised by both communities and who are supported by both communities who will be able to step in and end the blame game.
"We need something to stop that, something that is recognised in both communities ... an independent group or body who can say this is what happened.
"It should be supported possibly by both governments and/or the Assembly." The Sinn Féin councillor was commenting after a house on the loyalist Cluan Place was set alight last night by a petrol bomb.
Firefighters were quickly on the scene to deal with the blaze. A short time later police responded to stone throwing between rival mobs in Cluan Place and nationalist Clandeboye Drive.
The trouble began after a peaceful protest by a group of loyalist women on the Albertbridge Road.
PA