Rioting erupted in Carrickfergus on Monday night. Picture by Pacemaker PA
Chairman of the Police Federation Mark Lindsay
Young people are being “cynically used” by “more sinister elements of society” to cause disorder, according to the Police Federation for Northern Ireland chairman.
Mark Lindsay said a “perfect storm” had emerged linked to various issues, including the decision not to prosecute Sinn Féin members in relation to the funeral of Bobby Storey and problems over the post-Brexit Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Lindsay told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “There are young people who are being cynically used by older, more sinister elements of society – more than likely aligned to what we would call paramilitary, but which in anywhere else are criminal organisations and large criminal gangs, and young people are often the cannon fodder they use to go onto the streets to attack police.”
Arlene Foster defends call for police chief to resign and pledges to engage with loyalists A car is driven past a burning object in Northland, Carrickfergus. Picture date: Tuesday April 6, 2021. Rebecca Black, PA 07 April, 2021 08:40
Arlene Foster said there were premeditated breaches of the Covid regulations at the Bobby Storey funeral
First Minister Arlene Foster has defended her call for the police chief to resign and pledged to continue listening to loyalists.
Arlene Foster made the call for PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to resign after a decision not to prosecute Sinn Féin politicians over attending a large funeral last year despite Covid restrictions.
Northern Ireland’s First Minister has defended her call for the police chief to resign after a decision not to prosecute Sinn Fein politicians over attending a large funeral last year despite Covid restrictions.
Arlene Foster also deflected criticism for not meeting with Chief Constable Simon Byrne when she met with representatives of loyalist paramilitaries just weeks ago.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland recommended prosecutions against deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and 23 others for alleged breaches of the regulations last year at the funeral of republican Bobby Storey, but the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced last week it will not pursue prosecutions.
More than 40 police officers have been injured in riots across Northern Ireland NORTHERN Ireland s First Minister has blamed malign and criminal elements for whipping up young people involved in recent violence and disorder. Arlene Foster called for youths to desist from violence, adding that issues should be resolved at a political level. Police chiefs have warned that young people are being cynically used by more sinister elements of society to cause disorder amid tensions heightened by Brexit. It comes as the Stormont Assembly is set to be recalled for an emergency debate following days of violence and disorder in parts of Northern Ireland.
A DUP MP has urged loyalist protesters to “use their heads ” and step away from situations which may descend into disorder.
Gregory Campbell was speaking after several consecutive nights of violence across Northern Ireland which resulted in 41 police officers injured and 10 arrested.
The cause of the unrest has been attributed to frustration over a decision not to prosecute members of Sinn Fein over alleged coronavirus regulation breaches at the funeral of republican Bobby Storey.
Bins are set ablaze at the Cloughfern roundabout in Newtownabbey (Liam McBurney/PA)
Opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol and drugs seizures against a dissident faction of the UDA in south east Antrim have also been blamed.