Golf star tweets for calm after city riots

Northern Ireland golf star Darren Clarke took to Twitter yesterday to call for calm following the recent riots in Belfast.

The city has seen a series of ugly confrontations following Belfast City Council’s decision to fly the union flag at city hall only on specific days rather than every day.

The 2011 Open Champion said he was upset at the violence and called for compromise. “So sad to see, from the other side of the world, what’s going on at home in NI. We have come so far, please compromise,” he tweeted.

So sad to see,from the other side of the world,what's going on at home in NI. We have come so far,please compromise.#ulster #flegs

— Darren Clarke (@DarrenClarke60) December 12, 2012

The Tyrone-born golfer said he was proud to be from the North but that the rioting gave the province a “negative global image”, before adding that people “need to move forward together”.

“We have had our darkest days in NI... keep them there. It’s time to respect democracy... the future is our children... let them have a better NI!” he said.

Clarke also responded to tweets from people including Gary Lineker praising his stance on the subject.

RT @GaryLineker @DarrenClarke60 Talking a hell of a lot of sense on here. Hope some listen

Cheers Gary...I hope they do!!

— Darren Clarke (@DarrenClarke60) December 12, 2012

“It should be our NI that we are all proud of... no more rioting, bigotry, religious persecution. We all want a peaceful future... time 2 move on.

“Our NI will endeavor, riots or not but we all must move forward together. We have something special as one not as separate parts.”