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| Bomb found in north Belfast ahead of Orange Order parade | Bomb found in north Belfast ahead of Orange Order parade |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| With tensions building ahead of the most controversial parade of the Orange Order marching season, due to go through Ardoyne in north Belfast on Friday, republican dissidents have tried to kill police officers in a bomb attack in the area. | |
| It has emerged that the republicans attempted to lure a police patrol into Ardoyne on Tuesday night after news of shots being fired in the area were reported. | It has emerged that the republicans attempted to lure a police patrol into Ardoyne on Tuesday night after news of shots being fired in the area were reported. |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Wednesday that they later found a viable bomb in Alliance Avenue which they said was aimed at their officers. | The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Wednesday that they later found a viable bomb in Alliance Avenue which they said was aimed at their officers. |
| There have been several bids to murder police officers in the north Belfast republican district, which will be the focal point of protests against an Orange Order parade passing by on Friday – the most important day in the Ulster loyalist calendar. | There have been several bids to murder police officers in the north Belfast republican district, which will be the focal point of protests against an Orange Order parade passing by on Friday – the most important day in the Ulster loyalist calendar. |
| Ulster Unionist Policing Board spokesman Ross Hussey described those behind the latest murder bid as "fascists who cannot accept that they must be rooted out … they cannot inflict their poison on the rest of us. Their day is gone." | Ulster Unionist Policing Board spokesman Ross Hussey described those behind the latest murder bid as "fascists who cannot accept that they must be rooted out … they cannot inflict their poison on the rest of us. Their day is gone." |
| Chief Inspector Andrew Freeburn said the discovery of the bomb was "a blatant attempt to kill or seriously injure police officers". | |
| During the security operation, holes were discovered in the window of a house and the army found what they said was a viable device. A controlled explosion was carried out. Thirty families had to leave their homes during the alert. | During the security operation, holes were discovered in the window of a house and the army found what they said was a viable device. A controlled explosion was carried out. Thirty families had to leave their homes during the alert. |
| Freeburn said: "Those who carried out this heinous act showed callous disregard for the safety of the local community and police officers serving this community. We are very fortunate that no one was killed or seriously injured." | |
| Tensions are high on both sides of the community in one of the most divided parts of Northern Ireland as the Twelfth of July marches approach. Loyalists are angry that while Orangemen are being allowed to parade past the Ardoyne shops along Belfast's Crumlin Road on Friday morning, they will not be allowed to make the return journey that evening as they return from Orange Order celebrations in another part of the city. | |
| The Parades Commission – the body that adjudicates over controversial marches – has come under attack from unionist politicians who claim it has bowed to pressure from republican dissidents. Last year anti-ceasefire republicans were blamed for orchestrating riots in Ardoyne in protest at the Orangemen returning along the same route. | The Parades Commission – the body that adjudicates over controversial marches – has come under attack from unionist politicians who claim it has bowed to pressure from republican dissidents. Last year anti-ceasefire republicans were blamed for orchestrating riots in Ardoyne in protest at the Orangemen returning along the same route. |
| The first minister and Democratic Unionist party leader, Peter Robinson, said the rationale behind the determination to forbid the return journey was "deeply flawed". | |
| "This wrong-headed approach will do little to build respect and tolerance for cultural diversity. Many will interpret this as a reward for violence and intolerance in light of events in the area last year," he said. | "This wrong-headed approach will do little to build respect and tolerance for cultural diversity. Many will interpret this as a reward for violence and intolerance in light of events in the area last year," he said. |
| "The initiative taken by the local lodges in their recent engagement with residents was the right thing to do and was warmly welcomed throughout the community. Regrettably that progress has not been recognised." | "The initiative taken by the local lodges in their recent engagement with residents was the right thing to do and was warmly welcomed throughout the community. Regrettably that progress has not been recognised." |
| In an appeal for calm prior to the marching season's climax, the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, said it would be "hugely damaging" for Northern Ireland if there were violence on 12 July in north Belfast. | In an appeal for calm prior to the marching season's climax, the Northern Ireland secretary, Theresa Villiers, said it would be "hugely damaging" for Northern Ireland if there were violence on 12 July in north Belfast. |
| On Tuesday, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott announced that he would be drafting in an extra 630 police officers from other UK constabularies to help his force police the parades. This prompted the Scottish Police Federation to express concern that their members might be caught up or injured in frontline sectarian violence. | On Tuesday, PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott announced that he would be drafting in an extra 630 police officers from other UK constabularies to help his force police the parades. This prompted the Scottish Police Federation to express concern that their members might be caught up or injured in frontline sectarian violence. |
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