Violence in Belfast Intensifies as Police Clash with Rioters

Belfast was the scene of severe unrest last night, with violence in Belfast escalating as police used Attenuating Energy Projectile (AEP) rounds to control a violent crowd in the Sandy Row and Donegall Road areas. The disturbances, which began after a weekend of escalating tensions, involved over 200 individuals. Rioters, including masked youths, hurled petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles at the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), forcing a response from riot police and a police drone. 

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The chaos extended to the Islamic Centre, where the large crowd gathered until the early hours. Efforts by some rioters to set fire to a supermarket were thwarted by police using water and fire extinguishers. Two water cannons, lent by the Garda, have arrived in Belfast but were not used last night; they may be deployed today.

Violence in Belfast follows anti-immigration protest, leading to injuries and arrests

The unrest follows an anti-immigration protest on Saturday, which sparked counter-demonstrations and led to violence, including attacks on businesses and a café fire. Three police officers were injured, and four members of the public reported assaults. In relation to the events of the last weekend, four individuals were charged and their bail was denied. A smaller anti-immigration protest at the Clayton Hotel later in the day concluded peacefully.