Ombudsman clears PSNI in Old Firm-fuelled riot

The North’s Police Ombudsman has ruled that the PSNI was fully justified in firing 33 plastic bullets at rioters in north Belfast in May 2002.

In her report into the incident, Nuala O’Loan said some of the rioters appeared to be trying to kill police officers, 27 of whom were injured in the violence.

The riot began shortly after the end of a Celtic-Rangers football match.

Ms O’Loan said her investigation into the incident had uncovered no misconduct by police officers and concluded that all but one of the plastic bullets discharged were fired within the guidelines.

The one bullet fired outside the guidelines was aimed at a rioter on a rooftop who was preparing to throw a petrol bomb at the police.