Policemen in the North injured in violent clashes

More than a dozen police officers were injured during violent clashes in the North early today.

In Portadown, Co Armagh, 13 officers were injured, four needing hospital treatment during disturbances at Obin Street.

Petrol bombs, stones, bottles and other missiles were hurled at police during the violence which police said was largely nationalist inspired.

Two men were arrested, one remains in custody and a 26-year-old has already been charged with rioting behaviour and will appear in court later in the month.

Police said with the help of community representatives the situation was calmed.

In the New Lodge area of Belfast one policeman received leg injuries during disturbances involving a crowd of more than 50 people. Again petrol bombs, stones and other missiles were thrown before calm was restored.

Two people were arrested for rioting behaviour, two more reported to the public prosecution service for the same offence and a third for obstruction.

Meanwhile in the Broadway area of West Belfast five people were injured during clashes between rival groups.

All five required hospital treatment after the violence which involved rival factions totalling around 50 people.

In the early hours of the morning around dawn an orange hall was damaged in an arson attack in Co Antrim.

The outside of the building at Main Street in Rasharkin suffered scorch damage. Paint was also thrown over the building.

The violence came as organisers of the traditional Orange Order demonstrations said they hoped the turnout for parades – both those taking part and those watching – would top the 500,000 estimated last year.

Orangemen from Australia, America and Canada are expected to join their brethren from lodges across Ireland and Scotland at 19 locations in the region.

The Grand Lodge of Ireland has designated four parades – in Belfast, Dromara, Tandragee and Coleraine – as flagship events on what is the 318th anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.

The lodge is hosting 18 of the 19 parades with the Independent Orange Institution staging the other.

Police expected the programme of events to mark Protestant King William III’s victory over Catholic James II in 1690 to pass off peacefully with community tensions surrounding the marching season less intense than in past years.

Having rebranded the day Orangefest the Order is trying to promote the Twelfth as a tourist event open to all.

Its efforts have been backed by the Northern Ireland Tourist board and Tourism Ireland.

However, the bid to attract foreign visitors has been somewhat hindered by the fact the vast majority of shops, cafes and restaurants in the chosen venues close for the day.