On Skibbereen Main Street, ladies in bustles saluted each other over the heads of the crowd as a vintage Punch and Judy show got underway. Vegetable sellers and urchins argued loudly as RIC officers turned a blind eye.

Ethnic minorities have been issued with a chilling threat to get out of the North from young loyalists, it was revealed tonight.

More than 40 Polish people have been forced to flee their homes after the violence linked to their national team's match against Northern Ireland, it was claimed today.