Police probe night of street violence

Police were today investigating after a fresh outburst of street violence erupted along the peace line in East Belfast.

Rival loyalists and nationalists blamed each other for attacks on homes throughout yesterday evening in Cluan Place and Clandeboye Drive along the Short Strand peace line.

Officers were investigating reports of petrol bombs and other missiles being thrown over the wall separating the two communities.

Youths were throwing nuts and bolts at members of the security forces as they arrived at the scene.

Sinn Fein Councillor Joe O’Donnell said several homes in the nationalist Clandeboye Drive were damaged after coming under attack with a barrage of missiles from 6pm.

Balloons filled with petrol were also aimed at nationalist houses, the councillor said.

“Two houses were set alight and the fire service have had to tend to them.”

Mr O’Donnell criticised the security forces’ handling of the street violence.

“There is a very simple solution to all this and that is to address the gathering of loyalists in the cul de sac at Cluan Place who flocked to there to start trouble,” he said.

“Why they are allowed to gather there is a mystery. It raises questions as to whether the police and army are willing to tackle this or not.”

The latest disturbances were condemned by Ulster Unionist councillor Michael Copeland who claimed loyalist residents living in Cluan Place had come under attack.

The East Belfast UUP Assembly candidate said: “What you have got... is another systematic, unprovoked attack from nationalists with bricks, stones, bottles, glass and petrol bombs being thrown over the fence throughout the evening.

“This is a typical nightly occurrence and as usual, it is followed by propaganda from Sinn Fein.

“Republicans are exploiting a window of opportunity to terrorise loyalists in this area.

“My advice to people in Cluan Place is to remain calm and not get drawn into throwing anything back.”

Residents in Cluan Place and community representatives expressed frustration at the latest clashes and the failure, as yet, to erect additional close circuit television cameras to monitor activity on both sides of the peace line.

It is understood the delay in erecting the cameras has been caused by the need to set up a special close circuit monitoring room.

Mr Copeland expressed his frustration at the latest violence.

“People have got to stop pussy footing around about these sustained nightly attacks from the nationalist side,” he said.

“Residents are frustrated that there appears to be no retribution for those on the republican side who are orchestrating these attacks.”

Police later said calm had returned to the area.