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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted | Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Police have fired five plastic bullets during violence linked to union flag protests in Northern Ireland. | Police have fired five plastic bullets during violence linked to union flag protests in Northern Ireland. |
| More than 30 petrol bombs have been thrown at them during the trouble. | More than 30 petrol bombs have been thrown at them during the trouble. |
| A crowd of over 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, while fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey. | A crowd of over 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, while fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey. |
| The violence came as union flag protests again caused traffic disruption in Northern Ireland. | The violence came as union flag protests again caused traffic disruption in Northern Ireland. |
| They began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry. | They began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry. |
| Many arterial routes in Belfast were blocked by loyalist protesters angry at the decision of Belfast City Council to restrict the flying of the union flag from Belfast City Hall. | Many arterial routes in Belfast were blocked by loyalist protesters angry at the decision of Belfast City Council to restrict the flying of the union flag from Belfast City Hall. |
| A bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey. | A bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey. |
| So far there have been no reports of violence in Belfast. | So far there have been no reports of violence in Belfast. |
| Police used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and it was also deployed in Newtownabbey. | Police used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and it was also deployed in Newtownabbey. |
| A police Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb in Newtownabbey. | A police Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb in Newtownabbey. |
| A security alert on the Westlink road in Belfast ended late on Friday night. | |
| It was closed in both directions between York Street and Broadway. | |
| In Dunmurry, Creighton's Road is closed at the junction of the Stewartstown Road and Old Golf Course Road because of another security alert. | |
| 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 withdrew all its bus serivces in Belfast, apart from Falls Road services and buses to Belfast International Airport. | Translink withdrew all its bus serivces in Belfast, apart from Falls Road services and buses to Belfast International Airport. |
| Thousands of Ulster rugby supporters encountered delays getting to Ravenhill stadium in east Belfast for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow. | Thousands of Ulster rugby supporters encountered delays getting to Ravenhill stadium in east Belfast for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow. |
| 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 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 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. |
| "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." |