Belfast riots: Police injured in second night of fighting
Loyalist protesters gather at Belfast City Hall during a city council meeting in Belfast, Northern Ireland on January 7, 2013. Violence flared again in Northern Ireland, after politicians and Church leaders held talks in a bid to quell a row over the flying of the British flag.
Seven police officers were injured on Saturday in a second night of rioting by loyalists in Belfast.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) described the unrest as "isolated serious disorder" as rioters threw gas bombs, bricks, bottles and other objects at officers in the same northern area of Woodvale that saw more serious violence on Friday night.
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Police responded by firing 10 baton rounds and using a water cannon. The seven officers injured were not in serious condition and will remain on duty.
Friday's rioting saw 32 police officers injured and a member of parliament hospitalized.
More than 600 police were brought in from mainland Britain in anticipation of tensions caused by the traditional 12th of July parades, which are the high point of the Protestant Orange Order's marching season. Riots started when the group was banned from marching through a Catholic republican area of Belfast. Another 400 officers were brought in to Northern Ireland to help the PSNI after Saturday night's rioting.
"The scenes were both shameful and disgraceful," PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said of the Orange Order rioting. "Some of their language was emotive and having called thousands of people to protest they had no plan and no control."
"Rather than being responsible, I think the word for that is reckless."