Six arrests following overnight violence in NI

Six people were arrested during a number of incidents in Northern Ireland last night.

Six people were arrested during a number of incidents in Northern Ireland last night.

One man suffered a serious head injury and a broken leg during disturbances linked to an anti-internment bonfire in Co Derry last night.

Iron bars, wooden batons and sticks were confiscated by officers and four people were arrested in the Heights area of Coleraine.

Six people were treated for injuries.

Police released one person detained pending reports and charged two others, one with disorderly behaviour, the other with possession of an offensive weapon. The fourth remains in custody.

Police chief inspector Nicky Thompson appealed for calm and said officers would be monitoring the situation.

"It is time that people showed more respect for their neighbours and time that the small minority who seem intent on creating trouble sought out new and peaceful ways of resolving their differences." He called for those with influence to help prevent further trouble.

Meanwhile two people were arrested after police were attacked in Lisburn early today. A canister of CS spray was stolen and one person taken to hospital following disturbances.

Police said up to 20 people were involved in the incident at Glebe Walk. One of those arrested has been charged with disorderly behaviour and assaulting police.

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Elsewhere, PSNI officers are investigating an alleged assault on a 16-year-old girl at a bonfire in Ballymena, Co Antrim.

The victim suffered swelling and bruising to the eye after she was punched in the face at the site in the Dunville area of Dunclug estate early this morning.

Sinn Fein MLA Daithi McKay said "This is another example of the fear and intimidation that some individuals are trying to instil in this community and they will not succeed.

"The person who carried out this attack is nothing more than a thug and I would call on anyone with any information to bring it forward."