Most people arrested for rioting in Northern Ireland in the past few days were common criminals, a judge said in Belfast High Court yesterday.
Mr Justice Campbell said very few were genuine protesters and added: "Most of them have criminal records for disorderly behaviour, assaults and other types of violence.
"Judging by their records they are just common criminals, the type of people who take advantage of the present situation to come out and cause trouble."
The judge commented while rejecting bail applications by three men arrested during disturbances in Belfast and Bangor following the Orange stand-off at Drumcree.
Mr Justice Campbell said: "There has been a great deal of disorder in this community in the last few days and it is the duty of the courts to protect the public." He warned that that anyone accused of riotous behaviour in the climate of disorder was unlikely to get given bail.
Referring to one man's five convictions for disorderly behaviour the judge said: "My concern is about releasing people who will go back on the streets and engage in this sort of behaviour again."