Police investigating the murder of a 33-year-old man in the Short Strand area of Belfast were tonight attacked by youths throwing stones and missiles.
Robert McCartney, a father of two, died in hospital yesterday from stab wounds.
SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said local people had told him that prominent Provisional IRA members were involved in the incident linked to the death of Mr McCartney.
He was found unconscious in Cromac Street not long after a row in a bar on nearby May Street shortly before 11pm last night.
Police attempting to carry out searches in the area where the dead man lived were attacked by youths.
The Sinn Féin Assembly member and former Belfast Lord Mayor, Alex Maskey, criticised the police operation. He said it appeared the PSNI was using the tragic stabbing incident as an excuse to disrupt life within the community.
A 31-year-old man was also stabbed during the incident but his injuries were not thought to be life threatening.
One man is being questioned by the police in connection with the murder and more arrests are expected.
