Stand-off in north Belfast after Ardoyne parade

There is a reportedly a stand-off taking place between around 200 loyalists and republicans in north Belfast tonight.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jul 2016, 23:43 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 16:30 BST
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th July 2016 - Nationalist youths try to burn a Union Jack flag at Ardoyne shops in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern Ireland. This year, as has been the case since 2013, the feeder parade was not allowed to return by the same route on Tuesday evening. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th July 2016 - Nationalist youths try to burn a Union Jack flag at Ardoyne shops in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern Ireland. This year, as has been the case since 2013, the feeder parade was not allowed to return by the same route on Tuesday evening. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.
Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 12th July 2016 - Nationalist youths try to burn a Union Jack flag at Ardoyne shops in North Belfast after the main 12th of July parades took place across Northern Ireland. This year, as has been the case since 2013, the feeder parade was not allowed to return by the same route on Tuesday evening. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

The crowds gathered after a flashpoint Orange Order parade passed off peacefully earlier on Tuesday night.

When trouble flared it is believed police used CS gas to disperse members of the crowd.

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A handful of loyal order members registered a complaint at a barrier preventing them from marching past the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area and held a silent protest but there were none of the usual supporters.

PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/07/2016 PSNI officers use pepper spray on some protestors at the Ardoyne shops this evening. Minor disturbances have been reported in the area. PHOTO COLM LENAGHAN/PACEMAKER PRESSPACEMAKER BELFAST 12/07/2016 PSNI officers use pepper spray on some protestors at the Ardoyne shops this evening. Minor disturbances have been reported in the area. PHOTO COLM LENAGHAN/PACEMAKER PRESS
PACEMAKER BELFAST 12/07/2016 PSNI officers use pepper spray on some protestors at the Ardoyne shops this evening. Minor disturbances have been reported in the area. PHOTO COLM LENAGHAN/PACEMAKER PRESS

The area has been the scene of serious violence in recent years but the police presence was low key and a senior commander earlier said tensions had been lower this year.

Orangeman Gerald Solinas handed over a protest letter to an officer and claimed dissident republicans were “ruling” Belfast.

He said: “Nowhere in the rest of society would terrorism be acceptable.”

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A deal between Orangemen and nationalist residents fell through in recent days.

Gerald Solinas hands over a letter of petition at the contentious orange order parade gathers at the stoping point on the Woodvale road during July 12th celebrations in Belfast , 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)Gerald Solinas hands over a letter of petition at the contentious orange order parade gathers at the stoping point on the Woodvale road during July 12th celebrations in Belfast , 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)
Gerald Solinas hands over a letter of petition at the contentious orange order parade gathers at the stoping point on the Woodvale road during July 12th celebrations in Belfast , 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye)

The parade dispersed at Woodvale without any trouble. Police moved in to dismantle the barriers.

Two Orange Order lodges which were expected to join the first did not make it.

While the vast majority of the 600 parades on the Twelfth of July are free of trouble each year, the threat of disorder at a small number of sectarian interfaces between Catholics and Protestants always has the potential to mar the day.

More than 3,000 police officers were on duty and there were contingency plans in place to call on support from other UK forces if required.

Related topics:BelfastPolice