Violence flares again on Belfast streets

Fresh riots flared on the streets of north Belfast last night.

Royal Ulster Constabulary officers were summoned to the Limestone Road where up to several hundred people were involved in disturbances in a nationalist and loyalist interface area.

Police said a number of bottles were thrown and heavy stoning was also taking place at the junction near Halidays Road.

Earlier RUC officers received reports of stoning in the west of the city involving up to 50 people.

The incident occurred along the peaceline separating nationalists on the Springfield Road and loyalists in Workman Avenue. There were no reports of any injuries.

Police were also dealing with a number of paramilitary-style shootings in the city.

In north Belfast a 40-year-old man received a gunshot wound to the left leg in an entry by Tyndale Grove and Ballysillan Road.

In Monkstown, north of the city, a 17-year-old sustained a gunshot wound to the leg at around 8pm.

The victim was followed and lifted by two masked men driving a black van.

They drove him from Devenish Avenue to ground adjacent to Lady Park where he was shot.

A woman was taken to hospital with a leg injury sustained during the disturbances, an RUC spokesman said.