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First Minister Arlene Foster has blamed “malign and criminal elements” for whipping up young people involved in violent disorder across Northern Ireland that has left 41 police officers injured.
In Londonderry, trouble has flared for seven nights running, while there has also been recent disorder in areas including Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus, and Ballymena.
Children as young as 12 have been involved.
On Tuesday evening, crowds of loyalists began to gather for an ongoing protest in Larne.
Crowds gather in Larne, Co Antrim. Credit: Presseye
It appears to be centred around anger at the NI Protocol and the prospect of a border in the Irish Sea.
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.”
Stormont has been recalled from its Easter break for an emergency debate tomorrow over concerns of a further escalation of riots in Northern Ireland.
More than 40 officers have been injured during Loyalist disturbances which broke out in Derry, Belfast, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Ballymena over the past few days.
The violence has included footage of children throwing petrol bombs at PSNI officers.
Chair of Northern Ireland s Policing Board is Doug Garrett - he s shocked at the violence: