Loyalist mob lured PSNI into riot, claims MP

A paramilitary mob lured police into a riot to avenge the shutdown of an illegal drinking den, it was claimed today.

Officers were pelted with stones as a crowd of up to 50 went on the rampage in Northern Ireland.

Six cars were also set on fire and a petrol bomb thrown when violence erupted at the Bowtown estate in Newtownards, Co Down.

Trouble flared in the area last night – 48 hours after officers seized a gambling machine and alcohol in a raid on the estate.

Iris Robinson, the Democratic Unionist MP for the area, was outraged by the disorder. She said today: “While no one is attempting to deny the existence of paramilitary problems in the town, Sunday night’s events represent a watershed.

“Never (in my time) as an elected representative for this area have the police been attacked in such an orchestrated and sustained manner in relation to an issue which is purely criminal.”

A man, 35, was charged with disorderly behaviour and assault on police. He is due in court next month.

A teenage boy was also arrested but later released pending further reports. Extra police had to be drafted in to Bowtown, a loyalist stronghold, to quell the riot.

As she called for an urgent review of policing arrangements in Newtownards, Mrs Robinson said innocent residents had suffered as their cars were burned out.

She added: “It would appear the disgraceful behaviour at the Bowtown estate may be linked to a successful operation by the local police in closing down an illegal drinking den in the estate and would therefore seem to have been orchestrated, in order to lure police into the estate for pay back.”