Applause for supporters keeping cool

APART from a few cross-community areas, the glorious, or infamous July 12, depending on one’s standpoint, was largely uneventful until last night’s inevitable clashes.

Playing a calming role in flash-point areas, Sinn Féin leaders were on the streets yesterday urging their supporters to remain “cool”. For that they deserve to be applauded.

Both Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness had a significant influence in defusing protests and keeping the lid on potential trouble in flashpoint areas where nationalist and loyalist communities rub uneasy shoulders.