Reid in talks bid to end Belfast rioting

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid has held talks with loyalist and republican political leaders in a bid to end the violence ravaging east Belfast, it emerged tonight.

Dr Reid held separate talks with Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams and David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party which has close links with the Ulster Volunteer Force.

The talks took place after five people were shot during the fourth consecutive night of sectarian violence in the Short Strand area.

A source close to Dr Reid said tonight: ‘‘It is clear there is paramilitary involvement in these shootings. The Secretary of State wanted to talk to parties associated with the various groups.

‘‘He spoke to Mr Adams and Mr Ervine to appeal to them to use whatever influence they could to bring calm to the area and to look for dialogue.’’

Earlier today, police chiefs said loyalist and republican paramilitaries were behind the vicious rioting, which left 19 officers injured.

Every available officer has been drafted in to help quell the disorder.

Alan McQuillan, assistant chief constable for Belfast, said: ‘‘The rest of my region will pay the price for that in terms of reduced police service, but this has to be the priority to deal with this violence.’’

Monday night’s trouble was again centred on the Lower Newtownards Road, where Protestants clashed with Catholics living in the adjacent Short Strand enclave.

Two Protestants were wounded by a republican gunman while a bus driver was injured by flying glass after his vehicle came under attack from loyalists in the area.

A police officer sustained a gunshot wound to his lower leg during battles involving up to 1,000 people.

A total of 13 shots were fired at security forces, who returned six rounds, hitting a gunman who was dragged away. Two arrests were made.

Some 61 baton rounds were also discharged in a bid to disperse rioters hurling petrol bombs, bricks and bottles at police and army lines.

Mr McQuillan said the Ulster Defence Association, Ulster Volunteer Force and the IRA were all driving the violence.

‘‘On the loyalist side we see clear evidence that the UDA and UVF have been involved in this,’’ he said.

‘‘Certainly in terms of the street disorder on the republican side we have seen large numbers of members of the IRA, many of them from outside the area.

‘‘We believe that they are involved in organising the violence.’’

But he refused to comment on the state of the paramilitaries’ ceasefires, saying it was a matter for Dr Reid.

Security Minister Jane Kennedy said both ceasefires were being monitored.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive said 34 properties have been damaged and seven families are currently seeking to be rehoused.

Bus services halted in Belfast during the rioting resumed today.

However, the Transport and General Workers’ Union has warned it would not allow bus drivers to be put at risk during any trouble.

Spokesman John Coffey said: ‘‘We cannot expect our drivers to drive up and down streets of Belfast where there’s a danger both to them and the passengers they are carrying.

‘‘We are all hopeful that these disturbances will finish soon so that we can continue servicing the people of Belfast.’’