Community leaders urge end to violence

Political and community leaders from across east Belfast’s sectarian divide tonight called for an immediate end to the violence tearing the area apart.

In a joint statement released after a two-hour crisis meeting, described as ‘‘frank but positive’’, nationalist and loyalist leaders appealed to rioters.

‘‘We ask people within both communities to cease from any acts of violence and call again for those involved in recent difficulties to allow calm and normality to return,’’ they said.

Sinn Fein and loyalist representatives met after several nights of furious clashes which culminated in gunmen returning again to Belfast’s streets.

Among those attending the meeting was Assembly member for the area, David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, which speaks for the loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force.

‘‘Those who attended this meeting are incapable of undoing what has already been done but we have a chance of influencing the future,’’ he said.

Sinn Fein’s Short Strand councillor Joe O’Donnell emerged from the meeting with renewed hope.

‘‘What we have to ask people from both communities to do is to refrain from any more acts of violence,’’ he said.

Dr Gary Mason from the East Belfast Methodist Mission on the Newtownards Road was behind this latest bid to heal the rift between the two warring factions.

‘‘I think both communities have concerns about what’s going on and there is this blame game happening. It was important that both heard each other’s perspective.’’

Loyalists from the Newtownards Road had opened fire and hurled petrol bombs and blast bombs at the nationalist enclave as violence also flared in the north of the city.

But there was little mood for mediation here, as a senior Sinn Fein figure called for steel gates dividing the two communities to be permanently closed.

Gerry Kelly, a Northern Ireland Assembly member for the area, claimed Catholic residents in the Duncairn Gardens area would not be safe from attacks from the adjoining Tigers’ Bay district until such action was taken.

He said: ‘‘I have never argued for any peace wall to be solidified, but I’m arguing that these gates need to be sealed up on a long-term basis.’’