Northern Ireland: Three

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Monday, August 1, 2011

Three in court on rioting charges

30 July 2011 Last updated at 16:08 GMT Rioting

The three appeared over rioting in Ardoyne and east Belfast Three alleged rioters, including a 15-year-old boy, have been released on bail after appearing in court in Belfast.

Two of those who appeared on Saturday were accused of involvement in rioting in the Ardoyne area on 12 July.

The teenager was allegedly involved in trouble at the east Belfast interface.

Police have now arrested 27 people for involvement in the Ardoyne trouble. Officers came under attack from people throwing missiles following a contentious parade in the area.

The court heard that Joseph Rainey, 18, from Flax Street in Belfast admitted throwing missiles at police lines on two occasions in Ardoyne and had accepted that "his behaviour had been disgraceful".

District judge Amanda Henderson said she was only granting bail because of the accused's limited record and acceptance of guilt during interviews.

Ronan Kerr

Objecting to bail for the 15-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, a detective constable revealed that when told to sign paperwork, he had replied: "Do you want me to sign this as Ronan Kerr?"

She also said that he had been involved in rioting at the same time last year and had also been questioned about other incidents in recent months.

The detective said the public had a right to be protected from the teen.

The judge said she would grant bail, but only because of his age and because an address in County Down had been put forward for the boy to go to live with his grandmother.

The teenager was ordered to be electronically tagged, observe a nightime curfew and not to wear a hoodie or baseball cap or other clothing that could conceal his identity.

The court also heard that Martin Brannigan, 25, from Monagh Drive in west Belfast had accepted getting a bus from his house to north Belfast to watch the riot.

However, he allegedly became involved and was identified on CCTV throwing masonry at police.

All three who appeared in court were also ordered to stay 500 metres away from any parade.

View the original article here

Monday, July 18, 2011

Three arrested in overnight riots

16 July 2011 Last updated at 16:19 GMT Three people have been arrested following rioting in Portadown, County Armagh, on Friday evening.

The trouble came after what police said was a planned peaceful protest about the alleged removal of flags. But elements in the crowd turned violent.

A crowd of about 70-100 people threw 12 to 15 petrol bombs as well as bricks, fireworks and bottles in the loyalist Corcrain Road area.

The rioters attacked police land rovers with sledgehammers.

In reply, police fired 19 plastic baton rounds.

Local nationalists said their homes across the peaceline were a target. Meanwhile, the police said there was no evidence paramilitaries were involved.

Police Superintendent Jason Murphy said: "We should be very clear in our condemnation of the rioting and the serious violence that we saw last night.

"We should also outline that the only people who suffer here are the unionist community in Corcrain and the nationalist community in Obin Street."

The scene of the violence in Portadown

Local people said the violence flared after loyalist flags were removed close to a peace line.

Police said a planned peaceful protest had been hijacked by a minority.

Upper Bann MP David Simpson, DUP, said such violence served to disrupt and deface the area.

"I know many elderly people living in the area where living in fear last night and did not endorse this violence. Such scenes must be condemned," he said.

Mayor of Craigavon Councillor Alan Carson condemned the violence and appealed for calm.

"This does not do anyone any good," he said.

"People have a right to live peacefully and feel safe in their own homes. The violence we witnessed last night was something that we had hoped we had assigned to the history books.

"I would appeal to those members of the community to respect the law and not to take their frustrations out on innocent members of the public."

John O'Dowd, Sinn Fein, said a number of foreign national families fled their homes in the trouble.

"They packed their bags, so distressed were they at the violence," he said.

"Their neighbours tried to reassure people that they would be safe in their homes but they left."

Alliance councillor Sheila McQuaid said: "I am disgusted at the activities of those involved in this disorder. I would appeal for people to act responsibly.

Both sides in Portadown have appealed for calm.

View the original article here