Shameful day of violence in exposes intolerance and bigotry

LET there be no equivocation: those who orchestrated the rabid intolerance witnessed in the centre of Dublin on Saturday can only be considered as implacable enemies of this State.

The very principles of republicanism they pretend to serve were dishonoured and sullied by the hatred they displayed in a frenzy of sheer violence expressed in petrol bombs, burned-out cars and general destruction.

The planned and systematic mayhem was directed by extremist republicans, aided and abetted by opportunistic looters, with the sole objective of preventing a unionist protest taking place.