London [UK], June 15: More police officers were injured as heavy masonry and fireworks were thrown during disorder in Northern Ireland on Friday night for a fifth consecutive night, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has said.
A senior officer warned that the force is actively investigating people inciting the disorder through social media. The scenes on Friday night in Portadown were the fifth consecutive night of rioting in the region after serious disturbances in Ballymena on Monday.
The violence, which followed an alleged sex attack on a teenage girl in the County Antrim town, has since spread to several other parts of Northern Ireland.
On Saturday afternoon, hundreds of people attended a rally in Belfast city centre which heard calls for greater political leadership in opposing racism.
More than 60 police officers were hurt during the rioting.
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Disorder and violence broke out in Portadown with officers coming under sustained attack with heavy masonry and fireworks thrown at them."
"Officers used various public order tactics including water cannon to keep the public safe with no reports of injury to the public or damage to property." Two males, aged 14 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remain in custody.
Police in Londonderry dealt with disorder in the Tullyally area.
A police vehicle was damaged, with the front window smashed. One male was arrested at around 2:20am and remains in custody.
Damage was caused to playing fields and property in the Killeavey Road area of Newry as a large group set a pitch and bins on fire. One 14-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of riot.
The unrest started in Ballymena on Monday after an alleged sexual assault of a girl in the town last weekend. Two 14-year-old boys, who spoke to a court through a Romanian interpreter, have been charged.
A peaceful protest about the alleged assault on Monday evening was followed by attacks on properties housing ethnic minorities and police.
Source: Qatar Tribune
