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Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted
(about 11 hours later)
Four police officers have been injured during violence linked to union flag protests in Northern Ireland. Four police officers have been injured during rioting linked to union flag protests in Northern Ireland.
Police fired five plastic bullets as rioters threw over 30 petrol bombs. Police fired five plastic bullets as rioters threw more than 30 petrol bombs. The most serious violence took place in parts of County Antrim.
A crowd of over 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, while fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used in the O'Neill's Road area of Newtownabbey. A crowd of over 100 loyalists threw missiles at police in Carrickfergus.
Meanwhile, a pipe bomb was found after a security alert on the Westlink, Belfast's busiest road. Fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks were used to attack police in the O'Neill's Road area of Newtownabbey. A bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate.
It was closed in both directions between York Street and Broadway during the alert which is now over. Meanwhile, a viable pipe bomb was found after a security alert on the Westlink, Belfast's busiest road.
The violence came as union flag protests again caused traffic disruption in Northern Ireland. Water cannon
One of the injured police officers required hospital treatment. Two arrests have been made so far. Loyalist street protests have being taking place for almost six weeks, since href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20587538" >Belfast City Council voted to change its longstanding union flag policy on 3 December.
A spokesman said police "will continue to pursue a vigorous evidence gathering operation to bring those involved in the violence to justice". The council, which now has a nationalist majority, voted to fly the flag at Belfast City Hall on a number of designated days, as opposed to every day of the year.
The protests - most of which were peaceful - began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry. The majority of the street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.
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. Dozens of police officers have been injured in almost 40 days of protests and more than 100 people have been arrested.
All roads are now open again. On Friday night, two arrests were made. Of the four police officers who were injured, one required hospital treatment.
A bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey. A PSNI spokesman said police "will continue to pursue a vigorous evidence gathering operation to bring those involved in the violence to justice".
There have been no reports of violence in Belfast itself. Friday's protests - most of which passed without violence - took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry.
Police used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and it was also deployed in Newtownabbey. They began in some areas at 15:00 GMT, causing disruption to traffic and blocking and many arterial routes in Belfast.
A police Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb in Newtownabbey.
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.
Translink withdrew all its bus services in Belfast, apart from Falls Road services and buses to Belfast International Airport.Translink withdrew all its bus services 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. There have been no reports of violence in the city itself and all roads are now open again.
However, in County Antrim, police used water cannon during trouble on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and also in Newtownabbey, where a PSNI Land Rover with a CCTV camera on the roof was set alight with a petrol bomb.
In Rathcoole in Newtownabbey, a distressed pensioner pleaded with protesters to let him pass through a road block so he could make his way to visit his seriously ill wife in hospital.
The protesters jeered at the elderly man and refused to let him through.
Stewart Dickson, an Alliance MLA for East Antrim, said the protests on Friday night had caused "widespread misery".
He said: "This violence is unacceptable, these rioters are harming their own community. The scenes in Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey are a disgrace.
"This was just wanton violence. These protests have got nothing to do with a flag, it is about a major disconnect that has developed between protestors and those unionists that they have previously looked to for political representation."
Last month, Mr Dickson's Alliance party office in Carrickfergus was severely damaged in an arson attack - one of several attacks on the homes and offices of political representatives since the protests began.
In Belfast, thousands of Ulster rugby supporters encountered delays getting to Ravenhill stadium in the east of the city for Friday night's 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 InOperation 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 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."
Are you involved in the protests? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you involved in the protests? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your experiences using the form below.