Rioting in Ardoyne after Orange parade forced through
Rioting in Ardoyne after Orange parade forced through
ardoynemarch2012.jpg

Trouble has erupted in Ardoyne today after the republican area was cleared by the PSNI police to allow an incendiary Orange march pass through.

A parade involving relatively few Orangemen but over a thousand taunting, drunk loyalists bedecked in British colours openly provoked local residents in the ‘return parade’ this afternoon.

Trouble began earlier today with a heavy-handed PSNI action to clear residents from the streets, in which at least one resident was injured in a PSNI clearance operation.

Following the Orange march, the PSNI turned water cannon on nationalist youths who created a burning barricade and threw petrol bombs.

A large group of loyalists were allowed to gather en masse just yards from the rioting, just outside the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast.

The Orange Order is one of the few explicitly anti-Catholic organisations in the North, and its annual parades through Catholic areas have been likened to the actions of the Ku Klux Klan in the US.

Orangemen argue that their July ‘Twelfth’ marches are celebrations of Protestant culture, marking the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne victory of Protestant King William over the Catholic King James in 1690.

Last year scores of local youths were jailed for rioting against the Orange Order’s parade on the basis of video evidence provided by the mainstream media.

Urgent Appeal

Despite increasing support for Irish freedom and unity, we need your help to overcome British and unionist intransigence. We can end the denial of our rights in relation to Brexit, the Irish language, a border poll and legacy issues, with your support.

Please support IRN now to help us continue reporting and campaigning for our national rights. Even one pound a month can make a big difference for us.

Your contribution can be made with a credit or debit card by clicking below. A continuing monthly donation of £2 or more will give you full access to this site. Thank you. Go raibh míle maith agat.

© 2012 Irish Republican News