13 police officers hurt in ‘orchestrated’ attack

THIRTEEN police officers were injured after sectarian rioting erupted in a bitterly divided Belfast neighbourhood, it emerged yesterday.

Petrol bombs were launched at security forces in what police called a “sustained and orchestrated attack” from the staunchly Catholic Short Strand enclave. One baton round was fired in a bid to disperse hundreds of rioters as sectarian tensions switched from the north of the city.

Two of the wounded officers were detained in hospital following the disorder, which started when missiles were hurled hurled across a peace line at Protestant homes in Cluan Place on Saturday. Nationalists insisted their houses had endured a day-long barrage of stones and bottles. The trouble flared as loyalist Apprentice Boys who had returned from a major demonstration in Derry dispersed on the Albertbridge Road.

“When police responded the crowd had swollen to at least 200,” the spokesman added. “When police attempted to restore order they were prevented from entering the Clandeboye area by an organised protest involving women and children who were sitting across the street.” Several cars were also used to form a barrier in a bid to stop security forces going into the Short Strand. Jim Rodgers, the Ulster Unionist former Lord Mayor of Belfast, denounced the violence which he claimed was fuelled by republicans.

But Bernie McConnell, a community worker in the nationalist area, claimed Catholic homes had been attacked all day. “Police came in very heavy handed to Clandeboye,” she said. “We just about managed to get them out without any big trouble but there’s a lot of tension around here.”

The Short Strand area has been the centre of bitter clashes between rival factions in recent months.

Gunmen have fought running battles and people have been burnt-out of their homes as sectarian hatred threatened to boil over on several occasions.