Protests cleared to allow Orange marches

Two republican protests were cleared off roads in Belfast and Dunloy this afternoon to allow Orange parades to take place.

Meanwhile, tension has been running high in Ardoyne in north Belfast, where police moved in to prevent another sit-down protest. Sixty republicans linked arms and blocked the Crumlin Road for 90 minutes before police dragged them off the road.

Leading Sinn Féin figures including Gerry Adams negotiated with the police and protesters to prevent serious injury as the Orangemen marched past. Some supporters made obscene gestures and sang ‘The Sash’.

In Dunloy, a six-hour protest ended with police dragging the 30 people off the main street of the village to give an Orange convoy access to a local church.

The police have now moved back into Ardoyne, as tonight’s return parade is expected, with fears of violence as it passes.