Belfast has seen a number of shop attacks while an anti-immigration demonstration moved through the city’s University district, reports RTE.
During a heated confrontation, police had to step in to break up a group of nationalist citizens from Lower Ormeau Road who had come out to confront the far-right gathering.
Deidre Harvey, a Sinn Fein MLA, stated that they had issued a warning on the possible disturbance and that now enquiries will be made over the handling of the matter.
Because the Parades Commission has not been notified, the police are informing the demonstrators that the parade is unlawful, reports RTE.
A group of demonstrators and police were engaged in a standoff near the University neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is home to several mosques.
Groups have also started fighting violently along the southern portion of the city’s Ormeau Road.
Protesters opposed to immigration had marched onto the street.
Following calls on social media for an anti-immigration rally in the city following the deaths of three young children in Southport, hundreds of people attended an anti-racist counter-protest in the city centre earlier today, reports RTE.
In the midst of heated discussions in front of City Hall, the two groups hurled obscenities at each other and fired a few pyrotechnics and other objects.
Among the counter-protesters, one woman was hurt when a firecracker detonated close to her.
The two groups were being kept apart by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Land Rovers and police dressed in riot gear.
One individual was observed being arrested by officers, and he was driven away in a PSNI vehicle.
At the demonstration, which included Palestinian and labour union flags, there were speeches and anti-Nazi chants, reports RTE.
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