Children as young as 12 join rioters pelting police with petrol bombs in Northern Ireland - Money

Children as young as 12 were seen joining rioters pelting police with petrol bombs over anger at the decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein officials for attending an IRA terrorist’s funeral.

Attacks in the Londonderry and Belfast areas have been on the rise lately due to post-Brexit trading arrangements which are claimed to have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Officers came under attack in ‘another night of senseless and reckless criminal behaviour’ in predominantly unionist estates in Londonderry from about 9pm onwards last night.

PSNI Chief superintendent Darrin Jones said: ‘Again we saw our officers targeted, pelted with petrol bombs and masonry in the Dungiven Road area, where pallets were placed on the road and set alight.

‘This saw the main road closed for a time, causing disruption for local drivers.

Officers came under attack in ‘another night of senseless and reckless criminal behaviour’ in predominantly unionist estates in Londonderry from about 9pm onwards last night

Pictured: Officers near Belfast last night following sporadic outbursts of rioting

‘Thankfully, last night none of our officers were injured as they worked to bring the disorder to an end.

‘I will reiterate our disappointment that we had another night of senseless and reckless criminal behaviour that achieves nothing but cause damage to the community.

‘It is also shocking that some of those involved in last night’s disorder were children, some as young as 12 years old, along with others up to 18 years old and a mix of male and females.

‘It is totally unacceptable, and it is crucial we send out a message to those responsible that such behaviour cannot be tolerated.

Petrol bombs and bricks were also thrown at officers in loyalist areas in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus last night

‘People deserve to feel safe within their own homes and be able to walk the streets without fear.’

Petrol bombs and bricks were also thrown at officers in loyalist areas in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus last night.

It was the second night in a row that trouble broke out at Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast, although the violence was not as prolonged as on Saturday night.

There was also disorder in the North Road area of nearby Carrickfergus on Sunday night.

It was the second night in a row that trouble broke out at Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey on the outskirts of Belfast, although the violence was not as prolonged as on Saturday night

On Saturday, 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers in Newtownabbey in what police described as an ‘orchestrated attack’.

On Friday, there were violent scenes in the Sandy Row area of Belfast as well.

Police have been subjected to sustained attacks across several nights in the last week in loyalist areas of Waterside, Derry.

Some 27 police officers were injured on Friday night across Belfast and Derry.

There was also disorder in the North Road area of nearby Carrickfergus on Sunday night

On Saturday, 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers in Newtownabbey in what police described as an ‘orchestrated attack’

Earlier on Sunday, the PSNI’s North Area Commander Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers and three cars were set alight in Newtownabbey on Saturday

Furore over decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein ministers at former IRA leader’s funeral

Sinn Fein leaders faced furious backlash for joining hundreds of mourners at an IRA terrorist’s funeral last June despite national lockdown restrictions.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and party president Mary Lou McDonald joined ex-leader Gerry Adams in attending the service and later commemoration event for Bobby Storey.

Health Minister Robin Swann said the scenes in west Belfast, where hundreds packed roadsides for the funeral procession, were a clear breach of Stormont restrictions limiting public gatherings to 30 people.

A furore erupted after the Public Prosecution Service announced last week that action would not be taken against the 24 Sinn Fein ministers who were among an estimated 2,000 people gathered at the former IRA leader’s funeral.

First Minister Arlene Foster has demanded the resignation of PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne and also suggested that Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Herron consider his position.

Sinn Fein’s leaders have faced furious criticism for joining hundreds of mourners at an IRA terrorist’s funeral despite ongoing lockdown restrictions

Tensions have soared within the loyalist community in recent months over post-Brexit trading arrangements which are claimed to have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Anger increased last week following a controversial decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein politicians for attending a large-scale republican funeral during Covid-19 restrictions.

All the main unionist parties have demanded the resignation of PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, claiming he has lost the confidence of their community.

Meanwhile in Co Antrim, a recent series of drug seizures targeting the South East Antrim UDA – a renegade faction of the main grouping – have caused particular ill-feeling towards police.

The faction is believed to have been behind some of the weekend disturbances.

Earlier on Sunday, the PSNI’s North Area Commander Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said 30 petrol bombs were thrown at officers and three cars were set alight in Newtownabbey on Saturday.

Mr Beck said it was an ‘orchestrated attack on police’.

‘We are living in unprecedented times, dealing with a global pandemic – no-one needs the added pressure of disorder in their community,’ he said.

‘I would appeal to those who are taking to the streets to stop immediately, their actions are causing nothing but harm and distress to the very communities they claim they are representing.’

On Sunday evening the PSNI announced that a 47-year-old man had been charged in connection with rioting and throwing a petrol bomb in Newtownabbey on Saturday.

He is due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday April 26.

Seven people had already been charged after the disturbances in the Sandy Row area, with three men aged 25, 21 and 18 and a 19-year-old woman charged with riot.

All four are due to appear at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on April 30.

Three teenagers, aged 17, 14 and 13, have been charged with riot and are due to appear at Belfast Youth Court on April 30.

Church of Ireland bishops call for immediate stop to violence

Church of Ireland bishops in Northern Ireland have called for an immediate stop to the violence that has taken place in recent days.

Police have been attacked with petrol bombs and other objects as loyalist unrest turned violent in Belfast and Londonderry throughout the week.

In a joint statement on Easter Monday, bishops called for an immediate halt and urged those involved to consider the long-term consequences of their actions.

The statement read: ‘The violence which has been happening in parts of Northern Ireland over the past week is wrong and should stop immediately.

‘People may feel aggrieved at things which have happened in the political sphere recently, but that is where any grievances should be addressed – in the political arena – and any response to these grievances should remain constitutional and legal.

‘It is never acceptable for anyone to attack police officers with petrol bombs, stones and fireworks, and to risk causing them serious injury or worse.

‘The PSNI do an incredibly difficult job and deserve our support. People may have criticisms of policing but there is a forum for this, and any criticisms should always be expressed respectfully.’

The statement called on young people involved in the riots to think about their futures.

‘There may be lifelong consequences, too, for some of the younger people involved in the past week’s disturbances, who could end up with prison sentences, criminal records or life-changing injuries.

‘We urge them not to become involved in rioting and not to do anything which they might regret for the rest of their lives,’ it said.

‘Rioting and destruction are never the answer. They destroy neighbourhoods and divide our community.’

The Church of Ireland letter was sent with the approval of Archbishop John McDowell (Armagh), and bishops David McClay (Down and Dromore); Andrew Forster (Derry and Raphoe) and George Davison (Connor).

Tensions have soared within the loyalist community in recent months over post-Brexit trading arrangements which it is claimed have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Anger ramped up further last week following a controversial decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein politicians for attending a large-scale republican funeral during Covid-19 restrictions.

All the main unionist parties have demanded the resignation of PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne, claiming he has lost the confidence of their community.

Meanwhile in Co Antrim, a recent series of drug seizures against the South East Antrim UDA – a renegade faction of the main grouping – have caused particular ill-feeling towards police.

The faction is believed to have been behind the disturbances in Newtownabbey on Saturday.