Sporadic violence reported in north Belfast

A number of homes have been attacked in sporadic disturbances in north Belfast tonight, police reported.

A number of homes have been attacked in sporadic disturbances in north Belfast tonight, police reported.

A spokesman said a crowd of youths had gathered at Twadell Avenue, the scene of serious loyalist violence last night.

At least two houses were damaged by stonethrowers, he said, adding that there were no reported injuries.

The area had been largely quiet, with students at the Holy Cross school off the flashpoint Glenbryn Road walking home without incident this afternoon.

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There had been fears for their safety following a second night of violence that saw hundreds of missiles thrown, 30 police and soldiers injured and 11 arrests.

The Northern Ireland Office confirmed earlier it had agreed to install temporary security cameras at a community centre on the Ardoyne Road.

The decision to reopen the school was taken after promises from local Protestant residents that they would not resume last year's protests.

Last night, chairman of the board of Holy Cross governors Fr Aidan Troy, said: "The board has come to the conclusion, hopefully rightly, that the sooner we get the children back into a settled situation the better. It could even have a calming effect on the whole situation here."

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I think the message coming from that is that most of the people in those areas on both sides want peace
Unquote
Mrs Brid Rodgers

The SDLP deputy leader Mrs Bríd Rodgers, told BBC Radio 4's

World at One

programme that she was happy that the children were able to go to school peacefully.

"I think the message coming from that is that most of the people in those areas on both sides want peace, want to get on with their lives, and are being prevented from doing that by the intolerable behaviour of some young thugs and some young people who are clearly allowing themselves to be exploited."

Blast bombs, petrol bombs, acid bombs and other missiles rained down on police last night as nationalists and loyalists rioted for the second night running.

Police used plastic bullets and called in army bombs disposal experts to examine a number of suspicious objects. A soldier was injured when hit in the face by an acid bomb. Several cars and vans which had been earlier hijacked were also set on fire. Police said 11 arrests had been made.

Several meetings were held by local politicians, community leaders and residents in an effort to diffuse the tension.

Upper Ardoyne Protestants accused nationalists of orchestrating the violence of the past two nights to try to provoke a resumption of their protest but said they would not be drawn back to the demonstration.

Additional reporting PA