Decisions by police to fire plastic baton rounds in a bid to quell a number of riots in Northern Ireland were backed today by police ombudsman Nuala O’Loan.

Police officers protecting Catholic schoolchildren going to a North Belfast primary school today removed riot gear after an agreement was struck with Loyalist protestors.

Northern Ireland Security Minister Jane Kennedy will meet political leaders and community leaders in north Belfast today in a bid to end the loyalist protests at a Catholic primary school.

A fresh bomb attack was launched in flashpoint north Belfast tonight as five Protestant families were forced to flee their homes in the troubled area.