UK: N.IRELAND: PORTADOWN/DRUMCREE: VIOLENCE LATEST

(11 Jul 2000) Natural Sound
XFA
Police in Northern Ireland were forced to retreat Monday under a hail of rocks, petrol bombs and other missiles Monday night as they tried to clear the streets of Portadown.

Earlier police used water cannon against rock throwing youth as protests by hardline loyalists continued in the divided town.

Two people including a television cameraman were injured during the violence.

While Belfast was brought to a standstill Monday the action continued in Portadown where hardline protestants have been waging a campaign against the police since Orange Day parades down the Garvaghy Road were banned last week.

Most of those confronting security forces were youths armed with heavy rocks and some petrol bombs.

After several barrages from the youths police protected by riot gear and armoured vehicles moved to clear them off the streets.

Using water cannon police managed to push the protesters off the main streets.

The youths scattered but later regrouped behind barricades which they set on fire.

The confrontation lasted four hours

The police and army tactics were condemned by the Portadown District Deputy Master David Burrows, who witnessed the security forces' operation.

He said the protest was peaceful but the police were heavy-handed.

As night fell the protesters increased in numbers and their attacks against security forces.

Police were forced to retreat under another hail of rocks and missiles despite reinforcements.

On the protestant side of the barricade on the Garvaghy Road loyalists gathered for another night of taunting police and security forces.

At the center of the debate are the Orange Order parades, some of which have been banned because of concerns about violence between Catholics and Protestants.

David Trimble, the Protestant leader of Northern Ireland's new power-sharing government and an Orangeman himself, warned that anyone committing violence this week "will only bring dishonor and disgrace on the cause they profess to support."

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