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Northern Ireland protests pass off without incident after two nights of unrest
TL;DR
Protests in Northern Ireland following two nights of unrest have concluded peacefully, aided by a strong police presence. The unrest was triggered by a widely shared video of a knife attack in north Belfast.
Key points
- Protests in Northern Ireland concluded without incident
- Police deployed extra officers to manage the situation
- Unrest was triggered by a video of a knife attack
- No evidence of loyalist paramilitary coordination
- Significant social media activity noted by police
After two nights of unrest, pockets of protests held in some areas of Northern Ireland have passed off without incident following a "robust" police response.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said extra officers, including mutual aid officers from other UK forces, had been deployed across Northern Ireland amid concerns about further violence.
The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media.
On Thursday, a senior police officer said there was no evidence loyalist paramilitaries were co-ordinating the unrest. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson instead pointed to significant activity on social media.
"At this stage we have no evidence to say that the violence is being coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries," he said.
"What we have seen is significant coordination from online social media activity, some from people within Northern Ireland - and some from outside of Northern Ireland, outside the island of Ireland - generating that activity.
"That momentum, that drive, that toxicity is what's bringing people out onto the streets. It needs to stop."
Violence broke out across Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, with homes, businesses and vehicles targeted.
Further disorder followed on Wednesday, particularly in Glengormley and Portadown, where police came under attack and deployed water cannon.
Police said 12 officers were injured and 16 people were arrested during Wednesday night's unrest.
Ahead of Thursday evening, the PSNI increased its presence across Northern Ireland, bringing in additional officers from forces elsewhere in the UK.
Henderson warned that water cannon, public order dogs and officers in "significant numbers" would be deployed if required, adding: "We will be robust in bringing order to our streets."
Thursday night proved calmer.
About 170 people gathered at a protest in Whiteabbey, while around 100 people blocked the Newtownards Road in east Belfast.
Both protests dispersed without issue.
Q&A
What caused the recent protests in Northern Ireland?
The protests were sparked by a widely shared video of a knife attack in north Belfast.
How did the police respond to the unrest in Northern Ireland?
The Police Service of Northern Ireland deployed extra officers, including mutual aid from other UK forces, to manage the situation.
Is there evidence of paramilitary involvement in the Northern Ireland unrest?
No evidence has been found to suggest that loyalist paramilitaries are coordinating the unrest, according to a senior police officer.
