UK: NATIONALIST YOUTHS SET VAN ON FIRE DURING PROTESTANT PARADE

(12 Dec 1998) Natural Sound

Trouble flared during a Protestant Apprentice Boys parade in Northern Ireland as Nationalist youths hijacked a van and set it on fire during the worst of the clashes.

Despite intense negotiations between the Apprentice Boys and Catholic residents of Londonderry's Bogside, there had been no agreement reached with nationalists over their route.

Police in riot gear held back crowds of nationalist youths who hurled bottles and shouted abuse as the Apprentice Boys' march proceeded through the city centre.

It had been hoped that trouble could be avoided in Londonderry this year.

But local shop-keepers' fears the parade would disrupt trade on one of the busiest Saturdays of the year were justified as violence erupted on the streets of Bogside.

Talks to reroute the march had broken down without agreement and police barricaded the city centre.

As the pro-British Loyalists paraded through "The Diamond" in the city centre, nationalist youths began throwing stones, then proceeded to hijack a van and set it on fire.

As clouds of smoke billowed in the air, police moved in to contain the violence.

Meanwhile, the Apprentice Boys continued their march as groups of nationalist youths jeered from the barricades and attempted to attack police.

As the defiant youths were held back, many yelled abuse at police before resorting to throwing police bollards and glass bottles.

The outbreak had been anticipated with police and vehicles on hand.

But even so, police had to dodge stones and bottles which were hurled their way and then carry off some of the youngest offenders.

At one point a band of intrepid youths broke through the line and police reinforcements were hurriedly brought in to push them back.

Local residents caught in the cross-fire ducked under shop doors at the side lines and waited until it was safe to emerge.

Police did not fire plastic bullets, but arrested at least three people.

The latest outbreak in violence comes after proximity talks between the Apprentice Boys and Catholic residents of the city's Bogside failed to reach any agreement.

It mirrors troublesome events last July when the Orange Order was banned from walking along the mainly Catholic Garvaghy Road.

Then the stand-off led to violent demonstrations and increased tension between the opposing communities.

This time the trouble comes just a day after the Irish Republican Army ruled out the handover or destruction of any of its weapons.

The dispute over decommissioning arms has led to a stalemate in implementing Northern Ireland's "Good Friday" peace accord reached in April.

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