Northern Ireland experienced its worst rioting in nationalist areas in recent years as RUC officers were involved in a serious confrontation with Catholic youths in Ardoyne, north Belfast, last night.
The RUC said 55 of its officers were injured, one seriously, when nationalist protesters clashed with police attempting to secure a route past the area for Orange lodges returning from the main Twelfth parade in Belfast. Sinn Fein said several civilians were injured by the RUC.
The party complained of police brutality. Forty plastic bullets were fired and two water cannons were used. The disturbances will make it even lesslikely that Ulster Unionist leader, Mr David Trimble, could agree to further compromises on policing to secure a deal to save the peace process.
Political negotiations, involving the two governments and the main pro-agreement parties, resume in Weston Park, Shropshire today. Mr Trimble came under pressure earlier yesterday when the Grand Master of the Orange Order, Mr Robert Saulters, called on the UUP to withdraw from the negotiations.
The DUP MP for North Belfast, Mr Nigel Dodds, said: "A strong police force is needed to deal with situations like the serious disturbances we have witnessed in Ardoyne. The unionist community is sending a very strong message to David Trimble at these talks - he is not to engage in any further sellout of the RUC."
Police in riot gear came under sustained petrol, paint and acid bomb attack from around 250 nationalists. The protesters tried to break through police lines set up to keep the Crumlin Road clear for Orangemen returning to the Ligoneil area. The RUC fired plastic bullets and used water cannons to force the residents up a side street.
Sinn Fein condemned the RUC's actions. Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, claimed police attacked stewards, trying to police the peaceful protest.
Trees were uprooted and thrown at police and several vehicles were set on fire. The RUC said its most seriously injured officer had been struck by a pick-axe. Other officers were reported to have sustained fractured skulls.
Tensions have been running high in Ardoyne for the past fortnight after serious clashes prompted by a loyalist blockade of a Catholic primary school.
Nationalists protested during the outward parade by the Orangemen yesterday morning but there was no trouble. There were also disturbances last night close to Belfast city centre when two bands started fighting with each other.
Crowds, including many women and children, fled as the violence intensified. Ambulances were called to the scene. In the Short Strand area the RUC separated loyalist and nationalist groups who were stoning each other. The disturbances prevented the return of an Orange lodge along the Newtownards Road.
Trouble also broke out last night in Ballycastle, Co Antrim, when nationalist protesters and loyalist marchers clashed, hurling missiles and fireworks at each other. Catholic youths also attacked the RUC. The local RUC district commander, Supt John Bustard, said he was "absolutely disgusted" by the behaviour of some of the protesters and marchers. Police came under further attack in Lurgan after they arrested three people following the discovery of three blast bombs. Missiles, including petrol bombs and a blast bomb, were hurled at the RUC by nationalist youths.