Paramilitary groups have not officially sanctioned the violence that has gripped Belfast, the Daily Express has learned. Leaders are effectively ignoring their foot-soldiers who have joined the disorder, which has seen police pelted with bricks, petrol bombs, and bins.
Violence Would Be More Coordinated If Sanctioned
A source with direct knowledge of the situation stated: “The top level haven’t sanctioned it. They can go on the protests, but if they are arrested, they won’t be looked after. If it had been sanctioned, there would be much more trouble. It wouldn’t just be a couple of kids.”
Some protesters have torched homes and cars, and gone door to door searching for members of ethnic minorities. A house was set ablaze during Wednesday’s protests. Local officials told the Daily Express that paramilitary groups effectively decide whether demonstrations turn violent.
Police and Community Response
Twelve police officers were injured, and 16 arrests were made following Wednesday night’s unrest. Police used water cannons as officers were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs by balaclava-clad rioters in County Antrim. PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson told reporters the justice system “stands ready to give long sentences to those bringing disorder to our streets.”
Footage showed dozens of men dressed in black and wearing face coverings gathering on Antrim Road, where they tore bricks from properties and smashed paving stones with sledgehammers to create projectiles. They also broke into a derelict home, stole a classic Volkswagen, and set it on fire.
Witness Accounts
Pensioner Derek Waters, who has lived on the street for 30 years, told the Daily Express: “It was a normal protest, but it turned violent, it turned nasty. They were rioting down the roundabout, but the police came up to try and prevent them reaching the motorway. They destroyed people’s properties. Then the house opposite got set alight. They broke into it and took the old vehicle from out the back and brought it onto the road. We saw smoke rising from the building. They ignited that as well. That belongs to the man next door. He’s 91-years-old. It’s a good job there was no-one living in it.”
Lorna Waters added: “We were scared they’d take our car as well. We were really scared as they were quite slow to move them back and we were worried about our house. It was getting very scary. We don’t mind the protesting but not the violence, it’s not on.”
Intimidation of Healthcare Workers
Mr Henderson also condemned threats and intimidation directed at healthcare workers in Belfast during the recent riots. He said: “I want to turn next to the disgraceful threats and intimidation directed to our nurses, doctors, carers and healthcare staff, men and women who work every day to save lives and care for our sick relatives, they are the backbone of our public service. They are caring for our families, our friends and our loved ones. We are here to support them in the same way they support us. Tonight, we will be increasing our patrols of key areas.”
The senior officer said police will be “back on the ground” in the city with “bolstered” numbers on Thursday evening, and officers from Great Britain have been drafted in to help prevent further disorder.
