Politicans North and South condemn Belfast rioting

There has been widespread condemnation of yesterday’s rioting in Belfast.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, said there was absolutely no justification for the disturbances, which left 32 police officers injured.

He called for strong leadership on all sides and requested a full report on the violence, which was sparked by the re-routing of an Orange Order march.

The Northern Secretary, Peter Hain, said attacks on the police and army were totally unacceptable.

The Northern Irish Security Minister, Shaun Woodward, praised the PSNI for its handling of the rioting, and said that he felt most of the people of Northern Ireland would be “pretty sick” of the violence that occurred yesterday.