Northern Ireland authorities braced for further violence after weekend of disorder

The first and deputy first ministers have pledged to work together to deliver a shared, peaceful and inclusive society after the rioting over the weekend.

MLAs are to break their summer break for an Assembly recall on Thursday to discuss a motion condemning the criminal damage and targeting of businesses.

It comes as four men appeared in court charged in connection with the disturbances witnessed in the city centre and in the Sandy Row area.

The court was told police believe there is potential for more violence in the coming days with further anti-immigration demonstrations planned.

A judge described scenes of disorder in the city at the weekend as “absolutely disgraceful” as he refused bail to four men. Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said there were racist elements to the violence and that the message had to be sent that if “you allow yourself to become involved in this you will be remanded”.

Violence flared after an an anti-immigration demonstration left Belfast City Hall on Saturday.

Three police officers were injured in the disturbances.

In a joint statement, First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “While people are entitled to take part in peaceful protest there is no justification for racism or for the violence and intimidation that occurred on our streets on Saturday. “Today we have spoken to the Chief Constable and offered him our full support and we pledged to work to deliver a shared, peaceful and inclusive society. “There must be a zero tolerance approach to racism and wanton destruction. Nobody should have to live in fear or threat of violence. “Again, we would appeal to anyone with information to contact the PSNI.”

Several businesses were attacked during the violence, which erupted in the city after the protests on Saturday.

Business owners have said the Islamic community was deliberately targeted.

Stormont’s Justice Minister, Naomi Long, hit out at the radicalisation of people online “through disinformation and outright lies”.

She added: "This kind of xenophobia and racism and bigotry isn't acceptable.

"It is intolerable and from my perspective when it tips over into violence it then becomes a very serious issue both for the Department of Justice and for the police service."

Police mounted a significant security operation during a lengthy confrontation between anti-Islamic protesters and those taking part in an anti-racist rally at Belfast City Hall during which fireworks and other missiles were thrown.

The force said it then prevented an attempt by protesters to march to Belfast Islamic Centre, but that sporadic violence broke out in other parts of the city.

Three police officers were injured in the disorder and the PSNI has said those involved will be dealt with “using the full force of the law”.

Ms Long said if there are any lessons to be learned from the policing operation at the weekend, she has no doubt the PSNI will learn them.

Policing Board chairman Mukesh Sharma described the violence in Belfast as “deeply depressing and disturbing”.

“As a board, we join in the condemnation of all those who engaged in this disorder, and we welcome police commitments to bring all those responsible to justice,” he said.

“There is no place for hate in our community.

“We all have a real job of work to do to provide reassurance to the community that the violent actions of a few are not representative of our society.

“I welcome the increased police engagement at this time with affected and concerned communities, and also trust that all those officers injured in the course of the disorder make a speedy recovery.”

The four men who were charged appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Monday. The first to appear was Simeon Eric McCullough, 46, of Schomberg Drive in Belfast, who was charged with disorderly behaviour and resisting police. The court was told the alleged offences had occurred in the Sandy Row area of Belfast on Saturday evening. A PSNI constable told the court that the alleged offences had taken place during unrest which saw attacks on police officers and businesses belonging to members of ethnic minority communities. He said the defendant was observed verbally attacking police. Objecting to bail, the constable said: “Police have information that more disorder is likely in the next coming days.” A defence lawyer said his client was not connected to any serious disorder and had gone out in the evening to walk his dog before finding himself separated from his house by lines of police officers, ending up in a confrontation and being arrested. Judge McStay told the court: “The events at the weekend were absolutely disgraceful: a concerted and deliberate attempt to undermine public order and to then domineer the community, and there were racist elements to it.” He said it was not alleged McCullough had participated in the worst aspects of the violence. But the judge added: “The position is that this court cannot allow the type of behaviour that occurred on Saturday to be repeated and to be visited on other people, and the message has to be if you allow yourself to become involved in these matters for whatever reason, then you will face the consequences. “In this case the risk of reoffending, my significant concern is it is at a very high level. It is concerted and it is directed in a racist way towards residents who are stuck in the same areas as the people who are affecting the unrest. “The message has to be that if you allow yourself to become involved in this you will be remanded.” Bail was refused and McCullough was remanded in custody until August 19. Gary Creighton, 38, from Inishowen Drive in Belfast, was charged with possession of an offensive weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence, possession of fireworks without a licence, and riotous behaviour. He also faced a charge of disorderly behaviour. The PSNI constable told the court that Creighton had been observed on two occasions throwing lit fireworks into a crowd of people during an anti-immigrant protest at Belfast City Hall on Saturday. A defence lawyer said there was nothing to connect her client to more serious offending which occurred at the weekend. She said Creighton had accepted he threw a firework and was remorseful. Judge McStay said: “Anybody who engages in this type of behaviour is going to find themselves in great difficulty in achieving bail.” Creighton was remanded in custody until September 2. Bernard Lavery, 34, from Farnham Street in Belfast, appeared charged with taking part in an unnotified public procession. A PSNI detective constable told the court that Lavery had been at the front of the anti-immigration protest which left Belfast City Hall carrying an Irish tricolour flag and using mobile phones. She said: “Police believe that he has played a significant role and was more than a spectator in that protest. “He is also seen at a time gesturing and pointing towards hotels in the city centre.” She added: “Police believe his role was pivotal to the disorder that then arose from those events. “Police are in receipt of information that there is the potential for further disorder and we believe that poses a public risk to our communities and our businesses.” A defence lawyer said his client had been fully co-operative with police and denied having any leadership role in the protest. He said his client had only attended the protest after a flyer was posted through his door and had encouraged those who had engaged in disorder to desist. Lavery was remanded in custody until September 2. Last to appear was Michael John Coulter, 53, of York Park in Belfast who was charged with resisting police, three counts of assault on police and disorderly behaviour. A PSNI constable said Coulter had been in the Shaftesbury Square area on Saturday night with two children when he verbally abused police. The constable said he struck police with his crutch when he was approached. A defence lawyer said his client was disabled and had nothing to do with the protest but had stopped in the area to buy a kebab following a night out. Coulter was denied bail and was remanded in custody until September 2.

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