Special courts set up to deal with loyalist rioters

Loyalist rioters in Belfast have been warned they will face a judge within hours of arrest, after special courts were set up to deal with alleged troublemakers.

Stormont’s justice minister David Ford issued the stark ultimatum to those contemplating further violence after two successive nights of disorder in the north of the city. Seven police officers were injured in Saturday’s night’s clashes.

Petrol bombs, bricks, bottles, and other missiles were thrown at officers in the same Woodvale area in the north of the city that witnessed serious disorder on Friday night.