RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan condemned last night's riots by nationalists in Belfast, saying they were orchestrated and planned. Sinn Féin rejected the claims saying the RUC provoked the crowd.
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Speaking at a Belfast press conference Sinn Féin's Mr Gerry Kelly said local residents were taking part in a peaceful protest against the Orange order march through the Ardoyne area.
He claimed stewards organising the protest were subjected to an unprovoked attack by the RUC who used water cannon against them. This, he said, led the situation escalating out of control resulting in the RUC firing 40 plastic bullets.
"People were beaten in their own gardens", he added.
Mr Kelly also rejected claims that the riots were orchestrated by local republicans.
But justifying the use of water cannon, Sir Ronnie told BBC Radio: "It was absolutely necessary.
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"The sustained and vicious attacks directed at my officers left them with no option but first of all to use water cannon and then sadly to deploy a number of baton rounds." The RUC said 113 police officers were injured in what have been described as some of the worst nationalist rioting seen in recent times.
Nineteen officers needed hospital treatment after they were attacked by nationalist rioters while trying to clear a path for Orangemen returning home past the Ardoyne from the annual main Belfast July Twelfth parade.
Police in riot gear used water cannon and fired 48 rounds of plastic bullets during the violence.
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An RUC officer is tended
to during last night's riots in Belfast |
Two blast bombs and 263 petrol bombs were thrown at police during attacks from over 200 nationalist youths who tried to force their way onto the Crumlin Road to block the Orangemen's route.
Two officers were set alight by petrol bombs and one was attacked with a pickaxe, although he was later discharged from hospital.
PA