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Violence flares after march in north Belfast

Orange parades - Ardoyne clashes
Orange parades - Ardoyne clashes

Violence has flared in Belfast tonight after Orangemen and their supporters marched through a nationalist area in the north of the city.

There have also been reports that a pensioner living in the nationalist Ardoyne area died of a heart attack during the disturbances.

Missiles were thrown, a number of security force vehicles were attacked and riot police were in action as they attempted to keep people from Ardoyne back from Loyalists.

Despite the efforts of Sinn Féin stewards to prevent trouble in Ardoyne, serious violence between residents and the security forces broke out shortly after 8pm.

Among those trying to restore calm were Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly and a number of priests from the Holy Cross Monastery.

A large number of loyalist residents gathered at the top of Alliance Avenue before police moved in to separate the groups.

Violence follows peaceful Orange marches

The violence follows a day of peaceful Orange Order marches across the North to mark 12 July.

Earlier today, the celebrations of tens of thousands of Orange Lodge members and their supporters passed off without incidence.

The most significant political speech today came from DUP member, Jeffrey Donaldson, to Orange Lodge members in Belfast.

Mr Donaldson said that, provided the IRA moves with clarity and certainty to a definitive and conclusive end to paramilitary activity, unionists will build a Northern Ireland based on tolerance and mutual respect.

Earlier, leading SDLP member Martin Morgan said that any failure by the police to uphold the Parades Commission decision regarding tonight's parade could see the party review its support for policing structures in the North.

Mr Morgan was speaking in Ardoyne after local nationalists expressed the fear that police would attempt to push through supporters of the Orange Order in breach of the commission's ruling.

Mr Morgan said police must face down the threat of loyalist violence and could not hide behind public order issues, as nationalists now expected a certain standard of policing.

Northern Secretary Paul Murphy called for Orange Order parades to be peaceful and dignified.