Political leaders condemn night of violence in Belfast as bus hijacked and set on fire

Oh no    - memories of recognizable scenes from everyday happenings in years long past ... Regular daily news I grew up with  

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Political leaders across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain have spoken out in condemnation of the violence and destruction seen in Belfast last night.

For several days, violence has erupted in Northern Ireland, with multiple PSNI officers injured as youths, mainly from loyalist areas, hurled stones and petrol bombs and set vehicles alight.

The riots were allegedly sparked by a number of things including Brexit, the Northern Ireland Protocol and Irish Sea border, and the decision that no action will be taken against Sinn Féin members who allegedly broken Covid-19 restrictions by attending a large funeral last year.

Last night, a crowd of loyalist youths again gathered in the Shankill Road area and hijacked and petrol bombed a double-decker bus, and a photojournalist for the Belfast Telegraph was assaulted.

The Stormont Assembly is to be recalled this morning for an emergency meeting after the surge in violence seen across the North in recent days, with the PSNI stating that 41 of their officers had been injured in the violence.

Northern Ireland First Minister and leader of the DUP, Arlene Foster, last night shared a clip of the youths petrol bombing a bus and wrote "This is not protest. This is vandalism and attempted murder.

"These actions do not represent unionism or loyalism. They are an embarrassment to Northern Ireland", she said, claiming the riots took the focus off the "real law breakers" in Sinn Féin.

  Arlene Foster:
This is not protest. This is vandalism and attempted murder. These actions do not represent unionism or loyalism. They are an embarrassment to Northern Ireland and only serve to take the focus off the real law breakers in Sinn Fein. My thoughts are with the bus driver.

 Kelly Bonner:

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, leader of Sinn Féin in the north, condemned the "disgraceful scenes of criminality" including a "potentially lethal" attack on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist. She called for "unequivocal condemnation" of the riots from all political leaders.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote that he was "deeply concerned" by the scenes of violence in Belfast, and said "The only way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality".

Taoiseach Micheál Martin "utterly" condemned the violent scenes, and said "Now is the time for the two Governments and leaders on all sides to work together to defuse tensions and restore calm".

TD Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin in the Republic, called for "a united voice for a halt to all violence and for the restoration of calm", saying "The attacks and intimidation must end."

The CEO of the Northern Ireland Translink, Chris Conway, issued an update on the bus driver whose vehicle was hijacked and set alight, and said he is "very shaken and being looked after by colleagues".
He thanked those "trying to support communities under these terrible conditions".


BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 07: Fire fed by petrol burns as youths clashed at the Peace Gate at the Springfield Road/Lanark Way interface on April 7, 2021 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Violence broke out after a Loyalist protest, with youths attacking police officers and petrol-bombing a bus. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Videos circulating from Belfast last night showed groups of youths hurling petrol bombs at each other across the gates of the peace line between Shankill Road and Lanark Way, by a mural which reads 'There was never a good war, or a bad peace'.

Next will come the Rubber Bullets    ... and the 'B' Specials .... and ...

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Harry Brent - Irish Post


POLICE have blasted rioters in Northern Ireland with water cannons in an attempt to quell the violence and unrest on the streets of Belfast.

For several days, violence has erupted around the country, with multiple PSNI officers injured as youths, mainly from loyalist areas.

Petrol bombs, stones and fireworks were thrown at police and vehicles were set alight by gangs of youths who gathered in the west of the Northern Irish capital on Wednesday night.

Rioters were warned by police to "disperse immediately or the water cannon will be used".

Multiple warnings went unheeded and the cannons were turned on, forcing many of the rioters to flee.


BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 08: Nationalists try to light a stolen car on Springfield Road

Later on, there were reports that police warned crowds that "impact round (plastic bullets) will be fired" if the violence did not cease.
The shocking scenes have been condemned by politicians in the UK and in Ireland, with both Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheál Martin calling for calm, but tensions are still extremely high.
Joe Biden has also appealed for calm via a White House statement which was released on Thursday.


BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - APRIL 08: Nationalists attack Police on Springfield Road just up from Peace Wall interface gates which divide the nationalist and loyalist communities

Northern Ireland Justice Minister Naomi Long said it was "utterly reckless and depressing to see more violence at interface areas" on Thursday night.

"Violence achieves nothing. It brings fear and worry to the doors of local residents who deserve so much better. This needs to stop, before lives are lost," she said.

"My heart goes out to those living in the area who are living with this fear and disturbance."

The Good Friday Agreement was signed 23 years ago today
Jack Beresford - Irish Post

Leaders and parties from across the political spectrum have stopped to mark the 23rd anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

The peace accord signed on April 10, 1998 brought an end to three decades of violence in Northern Ireland and remains in place to this day.

In previous years, events would be held to mark the occasion but with Ireland and Northern Ireland still in lockdown, this year’s anniversary has been more subdued.

That hasn’t prevented prominent figures and parties across the region from taking to social media to acknowledge one of the most important dates in the history of both countries.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin used the anniversary to warn that Northern Ireland must not “spiral back to that dark place of sectarian murders and political discord”.

His comments came in the wake of yet another of night of unrest in the region.

Martin said: “Perhaps its most visible success is that a whole generation of young people have grown up not knowing or experiencing the violence that accompanied the Troubles.

“We owe it to the Agreement generation and indeed future generations not to spiral back to that dark place of sectarian murders and political discord.

“There is now a particular onus on those of us who currently hold the responsibility of political leadership to step forward and play our part and ensure that this cannot happen.

“I am determined to work with the British Government, the Executive and all political parties to protect the Good Friday Agreement, in all its parts.”

  Simon Coveney:

Remember today, 23 yrs ago when people & parties of very different backgrounds & perspectives had the courage to take a risk, to change the course of history, to shape a future for the better. It’s an inspiration that can help us resolve today’s challenges too.

“The island of Ireland has truly become a completely different place in the last 23 years, because of the Good Friday Agreement,” he added.
The Taoiseach recalled how the agreement ushered in “a new era of peace and mutual respect – grounded in the principle of consent, peaceful politics, democratic institutions, reconciliation and co-operation”.
He added: “The Good Friday Agreement also introduced a new ethos of tolerance, equality and mutual respect to underpin the new institutional landscape.
“The island of Ireland has truly become a completely different place in the last 23 years, because of the Good Friday Agreement.
“This has been a period of building trust, developing relationships, changing attitudes, and improving the lives of people on all parts of the island.
“It is important that we remind ourselves how far we have come and to continue to be profoundly grateful, to all of those at community level, who continue to work quietly every day and behind the scenes, for peace and reconciliation.”

  Leo Varadkar:

On this day, the 23rd anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, we remember all that has been achieved & all that can still be achieved as we honour its principles - peace, consent, respect for different identities, change by democratic means only, co-operation N/S & E/W

Elsewhere, the Tanaiste Leo Varadkar reflected on the agreement in a statement posted to Twitter.  
He wrote: “On this day, the 23rd anniversary of the Good Friday/Belfast Agreement, we remember all that has been achieved & all that can still be achieved as we honour its principles – peace, consent, respect for different identities, change by democratic means only, co-operation N/S & E/W.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney also marked the anniversary, reflecting on how it served as a timely reminder of the responsibilities set out in the agreement.
He said: “It continues to give us the foundations we needed for stronger relationships in Northern Ireland, North/South and on these islands.
“This has been a difficult and worrying week, but this anniversary comes as a reminder of the responsibilities we all have, as well as what politics, determination and dialogue can achieve.
“That is the spirit we need now.”

  Sinn Féin:

Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement. We have made huge progress, but there is still work to do in achieving a united society. Today we launch our proposals to tackle sectarianism and advance reconciliation.

Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Twenty-three years on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement we must deliver on the promises of 1998 to a new generation of our young people.
“We must give them hope and opportunities. It is time to bring people together. To keep the momentum of peace moving forward.”
The Northern Ireland Secretary for State Brandon Lewis also posted a message in two parts on the social media platform.
“23 years ago, Northern Ireland made a commitment to peace through dialogue, and turning away from violence. The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions remains the only way forward to ensure peace and prosperity for all in NI,” he wrote.
“It is incumbent on all of us to support Northern Ireland in leaving its divisive past behind, and continuing instead to look ahead to all the opportunities of its future.”

  Brandon Lewis:

23 years ago, Northern Ireland made a commitment to peace through dialogue, and turning away from violence. The Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions remains the only way forward to ensure peace and prosperity for all in NI. (1/2)

It is incumbent on all of us to support Northern Ireland in leaving its divisive past behind, and continuing instead to look ahead to all the opportunities of its future. (2/2)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has yet to post a message reflecting on the anniversary though Labour Party leader Keir Starmer tweeted: “’A day when agreement and accommodation took the place of difference and division’.”

“Today we reflect on those principles and the profound responsibility we have to safeguard the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and protect it into the future.”