Northern Ireland 's chief constable has confirmed that loyalist paramilitariesare taking part in violent protests targeting the Allianceparty for its decision to back a policy ending the daily flying of the union flag at Belfast city hall.
Matt Baggott also vowed that the Police Service of Northern Ireland would be investigating whether there was a"conspiracy" involving loyalist terrorists after three nights of serious disorder in Belfast, Carrickfergus and Bangor, in which more than 20 of his officers have been injured.
Commenting on the violence, Baggott said: "Adherence to a flag can't be an excuse to compromise democracy. To use mob rule and violence as way of asserting people's will is compromising the rule of law. I call on people to take a step back – there is far too much at stakefor the future and forthe here and now."
The Guardian has learned that members of the Ulster Volunteer Force from east Belfast and North Down have played a key role in many of the violent protests over the last three days. The UVF is not only officially on ceasefire but also is supposedly disbanding its militaristic structure.
The leader of Northern Ireland's Alliance party, David Ford, described attacks and protests at his party's offices in east Belfast, Bangor and Carrickfergus over thelast 72 hours as "an assault on democracy".
A loyalist mob set fireto an office in Carrickfergus and a paint bomb was thrown through the front window of the home of two councillors in Bangor.A 17-month-old toddler escaped injury.
Directing his criticismat unionist politicians, Ford said if people were called on to the streets in a charged atmosphere,"violence is almost inevitable".
Ford, the Northern Ireland justice minister, said the PSNI was monitoring social media with a view to prosecuting anyone involved in organising violence.
Four police officers were injured during loyalist violence linked to Belfast city council's decision to stop flying the union flag every day in the county Antrim town of Carrickfergus.
Ford said: "There are certainly people who have been posting messages on social media which amountto incitement to hatred, incitement tocommit criminal offences such as arson and that is being monitored [by the police service]. It is up to them to consider the issue of what charges may or may not be appropriate and up to the Public Prosecution Service to then follow that through."
Violence not ended by Garda focus
Irish Times‎ - 2 days ago
The suspected Real IRA murder of EamonKelly has come despite a period of intense Garda focus on the dissident group based in Dublin.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/1205/1224327508481.html
US Secretary of State Hillary Clintonhas condemned thisweek's violence in Northern Ireland during a visit to Belfast.
"We have seen this week the work is not complete and I join in condemning the recent attacks," she said.
"There will always be disagreements in democratic society but violenceis never an acceptable response,
"All parties need to confront the remaining challenge of sectarian divisions, peacefully together."
Mrs Clinton was in Belfast as part of a four-day trip to Europe.
When asked about the death threat against East Belfast Alliance MP Naomi Long, she said: "I know her and am distressed about her and attacks on Alliance. It's unacceptable"
"Democracy requires dialogue, compromise and constant commitment by everyone to protectthe rights of everyone," she added.
Mrs Clinton later attended an IrelandFund dinner at Titanic Belfast.
There, she offered to continue working in developing the peace process, evenafter she has stepped down as Secretary of State.
"Peace here has proven remarkably durable," she said."However it is being tested. The recent attacks are asad reminder there are still those who would try to destroy it.
"The promise of peace must be delivered. There has to be an economic return forpeople here.
"I offer to you, as I stand down from Secretary of State, to continue working with you in developing the peace process as anadvocate and cheerleader for the process and to reach out to those who are not feelingpart of it."
First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness both again paid tribute to her role in the peace process.
Mr Robinson said she had helped build the peace process and that the Titanic buildingis testament to thatprocess.
Despite attacks on the peace process, he said, "this ship isnot going down."
Mr McGuinness said Mrs Clinton and her husband Bill were vital voices in the peace process.
"They were among some incredible people who walkedwith us along a difficult road to get where we are today," he said.
It may be one of Mrs Clinton's last foreign engagements as Washington's most senior diplomat.
Her visit came amidtensions over the decision to stop flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall every day.
Nationalists at Belfast City Council had wanted the flag taken down altogether, but in the end voted on a compromise from Alliance that it would fly on designated days.
On Friday, it was revealed that deaththreats had been issued to Alliance MP, Naomi Long, and Sinn Fein councillor Jim McVeigh.

K, and England doesn't leave N Ireland for what reason again?

So what are they protesting in Ireland?
What is the problem there anyway?

This article does not really say.



I would sure like a link to that. Please, incite me. LOL



See bold: Up to who? Who exactly is PSNI? Oh! its the Police Service of Northern Ireland

No more freedom of speech anymore I guess? Burn the Prosecutors office then. (Do you suppose they will arrest me now, for saying that?) My defense is that I am an American and I have a big mouth. I believe in freedom of speech and that it is necessary, so the people can speak out against tyranny.

Oh I guess people will now be arrested for what they are saying on social media sites now. Hey, they are doing it in America.

(Andy that includes you.) Oh, but maybe hate speech against Arabs and Muslims doesn't count.



Really? What do you think we in the U.S resorted to for our so-called independence from England?

If you ignore the voice of the people, what else would you expect?

We celebrate that every fourth of July with fire works and loud fire crackers. They represent bombs.