2011 Northern Ireland riots
Encyclopedia
The 2011 Northern Ireland riots (formerly 2011 East Belfast riots until areas out side of Belfast got involved) were a series of riots between 20-22 June 2011, 1 July 2011 and between 9-16 July 2011, starting originally in Belfast
, before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland
, United Kingdom
.
enclave. This provoked a response from the nationalists, which resulted in both communities seeking to get involved in conflict with each other. The Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI) assistant Chief Constable
Alistair Finlay said that around 500-600 people were involved in the rioting. According to the PSNI, the riots are said to have been initially instigated by the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The clashes saw various dangerous objects such as petrol bombs, bricks, bottles, fireworks and smoke bombs thrown by both sides in what police described as "high-level, life-threatening, organised, serious and sustained" attack by people "hell-bent on disorder". At one point six shots where fired from the nationalist Short Strand area followed by about five shots from the loyalist Pitt Park. Two shots hit a police Land Rover
in what the PSNI claimed was attempted murder on their officers. One officer suffered eye injuries when a laser pen was being used to blind officers.
On Tuesday night during further clashes between loyalists and republicans about 700 people were involved. A photographer was shot in the leg by a gunman firing from the nationalist area, which police blamed on dissident republicans.
By Wednesday 22 June, discussions were held between community representatives, politicians, and loyalist and republican figures. The end result was for both sides to police their own communities to avoid further violence. Later that night the area was largely peaceful despite loyalist and republican groups — held back by community marshals — being involved for several hours in a stand-off at the Mountpottinger Road end of the Short Strand until around 0130 AM on Thursday morning. Nationalist marshals however had to step in to stop nationalist youths attacking police Land Rovers.
A 20 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assaulting police, which was followed on the Wednesday by the arrest of a 22 year old man from west Belfast in relation to the rioting.
On 9th July, loyalist rioters attacked the PSNI in Ballyclare
after the PSNI removed Union Flag
s and paramilitary flags from outside a Catholic church.
Expected riots broke out on the 11th July
, nationalist rioters attacked the PSNI in the Oldpark and Broadway areas of Belfast. The Royal Victoria Hospitals new £9 million extension was damaged. It is believed shots were fired.
More expected rioting broke out the following day in nationalist areas of north and south Belfast following the annual Orange Order, 12th July parades. Trouble also broke out in Derry
, where police claim people as young as ten were involved.The PSNI were criticised for the way they tackled the riots. There was also unrest in Ballymena
On 13th July, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness spoke about how bad an image the riots were giving Northern Ireland
and that everyone should sit down and respect each others views.. There was rioting in Portadown
, Belfast
, Derry
, Newry
and Larne
. Two police vehicles were damaged in the Portadown riots.
There was further disorder on July 14th.
On July 15th, Police in Portadown
came under attack with a riot involving around 100 people. Immigrants were forced to flee Northern Ireland
when their home came under attack by loyalists in a Catholic area
In Corcraine, Portadown
there was again unrest and rioting on July 16th.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, before spreading to other parts of Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
June riots
The sectarian violence began around 2100 BST on the night of Monday 20 June, when a large number of Loyalists made their way from the Loyalist Mount and Castlereagh Street areas to the Nationalist Short StrandShort Strand
The Short Strand is a mainly-nationalist area in east Belfast, surrounded by a mainly-unionist area. It is within the townland of Ballymacarret and sits on the east bank of the River Lagan in County Down.-Security issues:...
enclave. This provoked a response from the nationalists, which resulted in both communities seeking to get involved in conflict with each other. The Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
(PSNI) assistant Chief Constable
Chief Constable
Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, Ministry...
Alistair Finlay said that around 500-600 people were involved in the rioting. According to the PSNI, the riots are said to have been initially instigated by the Ulster Volunteer Force.
The clashes saw various dangerous objects such as petrol bombs, bricks, bottles, fireworks and smoke bombs thrown by both sides in what police described as "high-level, life-threatening, organised, serious and sustained" attack by people "hell-bent on disorder". At one point six shots where fired from the nationalist Short Strand area followed by about five shots from the loyalist Pitt Park. Two shots hit a police Land Rover
Land Rover Tangi
The Land Rover Tangi is the last in the line of a range of armoured vehicles, based on the Land Rover chassis used in policing during the Troubles in Northern Ireland. They have been used by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and, since its renaming, by the Police Service of Northern Ireland...
in what the PSNI claimed was attempted murder on their officers. One officer suffered eye injuries when a laser pen was being used to blind officers.
On Tuesday night during further clashes between loyalists and republicans about 700 people were involved. A photographer was shot in the leg by a gunman firing from the nationalist area, which police blamed on dissident republicans.
By Wednesday 22 June, discussions were held between community representatives, politicians, and loyalist and republican figures. The end result was for both sides to police their own communities to avoid further violence. Later that night the area was largely peaceful despite loyalist and republican groups — held back by community marshals — being involved for several hours in a stand-off at the Mountpottinger Road end of the Short Strand until around 0130 AM on Thursday morning. Nationalist marshals however had to step in to stop nationalist youths attacking police Land Rovers.
A 20 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and assaulting police, which was followed on the Wednesday by the arrest of a 22 year old man from west Belfast in relation to the rioting.
July riots
A riot broke out on 1 July 2011 in Castlereagh Street and Mountpottinger Road, were the police had to use water canons again to stop rioting continuing into the night.On 9th July, loyalist rioters attacked the PSNI in Ballyclare
Ballyclare
Ballyclare is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 8,770 people in the 2001 Census...
after the PSNI removed Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
s and paramilitary flags from outside a Catholic church.
Expected riots broke out on the 11th July
Eleventh night
In Northern Ireland, the Eleventh Night or 11th Night refers to the night before the Twelfth of July, an annual Protestant commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne . On this night, many Protestant, unionist and loyalist communities in Northern Ireland light bonfires...
, nationalist rioters attacked the PSNI in the Oldpark and Broadway areas of Belfast. The Royal Victoria Hospitals new £9 million extension was damaged. It is believed shots were fired.
More expected rioting broke out the following day in nationalist areas of north and south Belfast following the annual Orange Order, 12th July parades. Trouble also broke out in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, where police claim people as young as ten were involved.The PSNI were criticised for the way they tackled the riots. There was also unrest in Ballymena
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
On 13th July, Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness spoke about how bad an image the riots were giving Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
and that everyone should sit down and respect each others views.. There was rioting in Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
, Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
, Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
and Larne
Larne
Larne is a substantial seaport and industrial market town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of 18,228 people in the 2001 Census. As of 2011, there are about 31,000 residents in the greater Larne area. It has been used as a seaport for over 1,000 years, and is...
. Two police vehicles were damaged in the Portadown riots.
There was further disorder on July 14th.
On July 15th, Police in Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
came under attack with a riot involving around 100 people. Immigrants were forced to flee Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
when their home came under attack by loyalists in a Catholic area
In Corcraine, Portadown
Portadown
Portadown is a town in County Armagh, Northern Ireland. The town sits on the River Bann in the north of the county, about 23 miles south-west of Belfast...
there was again unrest and rioting on July 16th.