MP hit by brick in Belfast clashes

Mr Dodds was taken to hospital after being hit on the head by a brick when sectarian tensions in north Belfast escalated into clashes.

Violence in north Belfast erupted after the government’s parades commission barred Orangemen from walking through Ardoyne, a flashpoint in the past for collisions between police and republicans when the marches passed by.

Northern Ireland‘s First Minister Peter Robinson condemned the violence, but added that some responsibility for the violence should be borne by the commission for its decision, as well as by those who attacked parades.

Rioting loyalists, some with swords, attacked police with sticks, fireworks and even part of a wall in a major outbreak of violence in the wake of the decision. Rioters as young as 14 were involved. Around 20 baton rounds were fired and water cannon used by officers. Seven police officers were injured in the disturbances.

There was also rioting in east Belfast, where police confirmed they had come under attack with a sword and missiles, and deployed water cannons in response. One man was arrested for disorderly behaviour and another for provocative behaviour.

‘Intent on violence’

Mr Dodds, the deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, was taken to hospital after being struck by the brick.

A DUP spokesman said it appears Mr Dodds was hit by a brick or piece of masonry while he was “in and around the police lines” and was talking to the officers.

He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in west Belfast where a hospital spokeswoman said his condition was stable.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokesman confirmed Mr Dodds had been injured and added that four officers in the area were hurt, three knocked unconscious, and were receiving treatment for their injuries at a local hospital.

The violence in Belfast followed a day of peaceful Twelfth of July holiday loyal order parades across Northern Ireland, the pinnacle of loyalists’ marching season.

The mood turned violent when loyalist bandsmen, many highly intoxicated, played sectarian tunes at police lines while bricks and bottles were thrown. At one point a rioter broke down a section of wall and threw it at police shields. Others used sticks and pieces of drainpipe to batter police vehicles while some danced on top of the force’s Land Rovers and tried to rip off protective plating.

A PSNI spokesman said: “There is an element within these crowds that is intent on violence. Public safety is of paramount concern and individuals if they are gathering to watch events are advised to disperse.”

Calls for calm

DUP leader and Stormont First Minister Peter Robinson called for calm in Belfast.

“Violence and attacks on the PSNI and the wider community are wrong, can never be justified and must stop,” he said.

“While there is justifiable anger and frustration at the parades commission, who bear much responsibility for the situation in Belfast as do those who attacked parades as they passed certain locations, nonetheless, those who are using the cover of protest to attack the police are massively damaging the cause they support.

“Violence is undermining a just cause and runs totally against the wishes of the Orange Order for protest to be entirely peaceful. My thoughts are with those who have been injured this evening, including my colleague Nigel Dodds MP and other Orange Order members, police officers and civilians. I appeal for cool heads to prevail at this time.”