Rival mobs clash in north Belfast

Rival loyalist and republican mobs engaged in hand-to-hand fighting in the latest sectarian clashes in north Belfast, police confirmed today.

Three RUC officers were injured and three homes had windows smashed during disturbances at around 11.30pm last night in the Twadell Avenue and Crumlin Road area.

Loyalists accused republicans in Ardoyne of initiating the trouble - a charge denied by nationalists.

Bricks, stones and bottles were thrown by the rival crowds at each other and at police who tried to intervene.

The three houses were attacked in Twadell Avenue. A car was also damaged. Calm was eventually restored to the area at around 3am.

The RUC today paid tribute to the work of community representatives on both sides in trying to calm the situation.

Last night’s clashes were near the scene of serious street disturbances on July 12 involving nationalists and the police which saw over 100 RUC officers injured.

Sinn Fein said around 50 people were injured by plastic bullets in those clashes with the RUC following an Orange Order parade.

Sectarian tensions also boiled up in the Ardoyne area last month in a dispute which resulted in Catholic children being blocked from using one entrance to their school.

There have been disturbances in several sectarian flashpoint areas in the city in recent weeks - mostly in north Belfast.

Loyalists blame republicans for initiating the violence. Sinn Fein has accused the province’s largest loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Defence Association.

A delegation from the nationalist SDLP was meeting the RUC Assistant Chief Constable Alan McQuillan today to discuss the clashes and the regular series of loyalist pipe bomb attacks on Catholic homes across Northern Ireland.