Youths attack cars after Orange Order parade

Two children were treated in hospital in Belfast tonight after cars returning from a Protestant Orange Order parade in the east of the city was attacked by stone throwers.

The children were in a car whose window shattered as it went past the nationalist Markets area of south Belfast, near the city centre, after it came under attack.

They were not seriously injured, but were covered in glass.

Witnesses claimed a gang of youths, some wielding hurling sticks, attacked cars returning from the Mini Twelfth Parade in east Belfast.

The incident was condemned by Democratic Unionist representative Ruth Patterson.

She said: “Thugs came out with baseball bats and hurling sticks beating cars.

“Children were hurt, adults were hurt in an unprovoked attack on Protestant families returning from a successful Mini Twelfth.

“I totally condemn it and these sectarian thugs responsible for this.”

The first attack occurred in East Bridge Street at the junction of Stewart Street at around 8.30pm.

Three cars were targeted, police said.

Another three cars were later attacked as the disturbances spilled in Cromac Street.

Order was, however, restored.