Three police hurt in north Belfast rioting

Three police officers were injured as trouble flared in the Limestone Road area of north Belfast.

Three police officers were injured as trouble flared in the Limestone Road area of north Belfast.

And two army vehicles were damaged by pipe bombs as rival mobs of nationalists and loyalists confronted each other last night.

By 11 p.m. yesterday a police spokesman said order had been restored but there were still large crowds milling around. The area had to be sealed off by police and army.

"At least three pipe bombs were thrown during the disturbances and two military vehicles were set on fire," he said.

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Sinn Fein said the trouble began when a pipe bomb was thrown into the back of a house in Parkside Street.

"When people went out to see what happened a crowd of loyalists began a full scale riot," said a spokesman.

Loyalist community worker Mr Eddie McClean said the trouble was a consequence of the shooting of two Protestants during riots in the North Queen Street area last night.

Widespread violence broke out throughout north Belfast when people spilled out of the pubs at the end of the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Rangers.

A total of 28 policemen and 10 civilians were injured as more than 800 people went on the rampage after the match.

Mr McClean said one of the men had been shot in the leg and the other through the mouth. Both have since been discharged from hospital.

"The news media are playing down those two young fellas being shot. Eight people have been shot in the last six months," he added.

PA