Violence erupted in north Belfast last night as a contentious "feeder parade" passed nationalist Ardoyne on its way home from the main Twelfth demonstration. Dan Keenan and Gerry Moriarty in Ardoyne report
Lodges from the Ligoniel district of north Belfast passed by the nationalist enclave on their way to the main demonstration early yesterday morning without incident.
However, a Parades Commission ruling that only marchers and not bandsmen be permitted to pass the contentious flashpoint helped create tension which rose steadily through the day.
A significant PSNI and British army operation was put in place, with dozens of police Land Rovers, and armoured personnel carriers effectively sealing off all entrances to Ardoyne from the Crumlin Road.
Fifteen-foot security screens were erected to prevent nationalist protesters and loyalist marchers and supporters from seeing each other.
Hundreds of police and army personnel in full riot gear with batons and shields were supported by water cannon.
It was clear from early evening that unionists and republicans on both sides were working assiduously to ensure calm and order were maintained. Sinn Féin members networked via mobile phone trying to clamp down on any hints of trouble.
Just a few yards away, but hidden by security screens, several hundred loyalist supporters were barricaded behind police lines at the end of loyalist Twaddell Avenue, many of them waving flags and carrying anti-Sinn Féin placards.
At 7.55 p.m. the Ligoniel lodges, numbering about 200 Orangemen and complete with banners, paraded amid lines of police officers. The Orangemen included Ulster Unionist councillor Mr Chris McGimpsey who, like many others, waved at protesters to remain calm and quiet.
However as loyalist supporters on Twadell Avenue erupted in cheers, missiles were thrown from Ardoyne and were quickly returned by the protesters.
Bottles, stones, beer cans and golf balls were thrown, scattering some of the Orange marchers.
Shortly after 8 p.m. police escorted a significant crowd of at least 300 loyalist spectators who had accompanied the Orangemen on their parade through the city centre. Some were drunk and shouted loudly, calling for roars of support from the loyalist protesters hemmed in at Twaddell Avenue.
On hearing this more missiles were exchanged between the two sides even though neither side could see the other. At least two people were hurt. Efforts were made to halt the missile-throwing on both sides and an uneasy calm was restored at about 8.15 p.m.
Then, as loyalists began to disperse, a crowd of nationalists began to move up Ardoyne Road towards police and army lines.More violence erupted, with nationalists attacking soldiers who, along with police officers, used their batons on the crowd. Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Gerry Kelly tried to quell the trouble but was jostled by the crowd. He also received a baton wound on his wrist.
Soldiers and police using a line of slow-moving armoured vehicles pushed the crowd back down Ardoyne Road, and order was quickly restored.
Elected representatives on all sides, from the DUP to Sinn Féin, condemned the decision of the Parades Commission.