Dublin riot ‘may have triggered Portadown disturbance’

Sectarian rioting which left six PSNI officers injured may have been triggered by the violence that engulfed Dublin, an MP claimed tonight.

Rival nationalist and loyalist factions went on the rampage in the centre of Portadown, Co Armagh, early today, pelting security lines with bottles, bricks and other missiles.

At one stage a policewoman was dragged to the ground by a group of men who kicked and punched her repeatedly.

Another officer who suffered serious facial injuries in a suspected hammer attack. Two men were arrested.

More than 100 thugs went on the rampage in the town at around 1am – just hours after central Dublin had been turned into a battle zone.

In unprecedented scenes gardaí were attacked by republican protesters who forced the cancellation of a loyalist march and rally through the Irish capital.

David Simpson, the Democratic Unionist MP for Upper Bann who witnessed the disorder in Portadown, said police offered only one explanation for the outbreak.

He said: “They could only think it was sparked off by what happened in Dublin.”

Mr Simpson was horrified by the street fighting, and claimed nationalists started the trouble before loyalists spilling out at pub closing time became involved.

“It was rough at one stage, and that policewoman got an awful kicking,” he said.

“We don’t need this in Portadown. Last week the town was awarded £600,000 (€505,000) over three years to enhance it, but this is not helping.”

The rioting was centred in the High Street and Edward Street areas.

Police eventually managed to separate and drive back the crowds. But two of their vehicles were also damaged and a number of other cars attacked.

A 30-year-old man was charged with disorderly behaviour and assault. He is due to appear at Craigavon Magistrates Court next month.

The second man arrested, aged 34, was released on bail while police carry out further inquiries.

Mr Simpson’s assessment was disputed by Sinn Féin, who claimed loyalists in Portadown, including some who travelled to Dublin for the aborted Love Ulster rally, attacked nationalists.

Party councillor Brian McKeown said: “A loyalist crowd attacked people leaving two Catholic owned premises in Woodhouse Street.

“Several people were assaulted and beaten by the mob, and a number of others were struck by bottles and other missiles thrown by the attackers.

“The loyalist crowd, which included several loyalist bandsmen who had earlier been in Dublin at the Love Ulster rally, is believed to have emerged from premises in the town centre where a loyalist function was being held.

“A number of Catholic-owned taxis were also subjected to attack.”