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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted | Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Petrol bombs have been thrown at police in Newtownabbey, County Antrim. | Petrol bombs have been thrown at police in Newtownabbey, County Antrim. |
| Fireworks and rocks have been thrown at officers in the Cloughfern area as union flag protests again caused traffic disruption in Northern Ireland. | |
| Police have deployed water cannon in the area. A number of roads have been closed and a bus has been set alight. | |
| The protests began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and have taken place across Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry. | The protests began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and have taken place across Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry. |
| It is believed police have used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey. | |
| There have been 39 days of protests over Belfast City Council's decision to fly the flag on designated days only. | There have been 39 days of protests over Belfast City Council's decision to fly the flag on designated days only. |
| Translink has confirmed that all its metro services have been suspended apart from Falls Road Services and buses to Belfast International Airport. | Translink has confirmed that all its metro services have been suspended apart from Falls Road Services and buses to Belfast International Airport. |
| Police said that due to ongoing protests, access to Ravenhill stadium for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow has been difficult. | Police said that due to ongoing protests, access to Ravenhill stadium for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow has been difficult. |
| Thousands of supporters have encountered delays. | |
| There were also protests in Glasgow and in Liverpool at 18:00 GMT on Friday. | There were also protests in Glasgow and in Liverpool at 18:00 GMT on Friday. |
| Operation Sit in | Operation Sit in |
| Meanwhile, people have used social media to initiate Operation Sit In - a counter to the protests that has encouraged people to come out regardless and support their local pubs or restaurants. | Meanwhile, people have used social media to initiate Operation Sit In - a counter to the protests that has encouraged people to come out regardless and support their local pubs or restaurants. |
| Stephen Magorrian, the managing director of Botanic Inns, said people could have a great night out in the city centre. | Stephen Magorrian, the managing director of Botanic Inns, said people could have a great night out in the city centre. |
| "The protesters have told us where they are going to be and when so why are we panicking?" he asked. | "The protesters have told us where they are going to be and when so why are we panicking?" he asked. |
| "Be sensible, plan your journey and make sure you know where and when the protest is. | "Be sensible, plan your journey and make sure you know where and when the protest is. |
| "There is great entertainment, so stay in the city. We need the support. | "There is great entertainment, so stay in the city. We need the support. |
| "Things are still going and we have some of the best restaurants and bars, but if we don't support them we will lose them." | "Things are still going and we have some of the best restaurants and bars, but if we don't support them we will lose them." |