SDLP criticises PSNI ‘aggression’ at Ballymena parade

The SDLP has accused the PSNI of engaging in aggressive behaviour during an Orange Order parade in Ballymena last night.

Three people were arrested during the march, two for disorderly behaviour and one for a motoring offence.

The SDLP said two of its councillors saw police officers preventing people from walking on the pavement during the parade in the Co Antrim town and generally behaving aggressively.

It said others witnessed police punching a man "very severely" as he was being bundled into the back of a PSNI Land Rover.

The SDLP has vowed to raise the matter at a public meeting of the Policing Board this Thursday.

Meanwhile, PSNI officers were attacked with petrol bombs during a confrontation involving around 100 people in north Belfast last night.

Nobody was injured during the incident in Henry Street at around 7.30pm and no arrests were made.