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Northern Ireland police survive republican pipe bomb attack in Belfast Pipe bomb attacks launched on police in Belfast amid loyalist parades trouble
(about 5 hours later)
Police officers escaped injury on Monday evening in a blast bomb attack in north Belfast by republicans. Police came under blast bomb attack in two different parts of Belfast on Monday night linked to the loyalist parades disputes.
In the latest incident at least four pipe bombs were thrown towards police lines on the Lower Newtonards Road in east Belfast. Several petrol bombs were also hurled as nationalist and loyalist youths exchanged missiles across the sectarian interface near the Catholic Short Strand.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland deployed water cannon to quell the sectarian violence in the eastern part of the city.
There were also reports of crowds gathering in the loyalist Village area close to the M1 motorway in south Belfast, and the PSNI was advising motorists to avoid the area. There was a heavy police presence to prevent the protesters from blocking the motorway as well as keeping them apart from nationalist youths gathered nearby at Broadway, just off the Falls Road. Stones and missiles were being thrown at police lines in the area.
Earlier, police officers escaped injury in a blast bomb attack in north Belfast believed to have been thrown by dissident republicans.
The device was hurled towards police lines at Brompton Park in Ardoyne.The device was hurled towards police lines at Brompton Park in Ardoyne.
Police Service of Northern Ireland superintendent Emma Bond said: "We consider ourselves extremely fortunate that we are not dealing with a much more serious incident and that all of the officers were able to walk away from that situation unharmed. Police Service of Northern Ireland Superintendent Emma Bond said: "We consider ourselves extremely fortunate that we are not dealing with a much more serious incident and that all of the officers were able to walk away from that situation unharmed.
"We have appealed for calm in the area and I continue to do so. I would appeal to anyone with influence in the community to exert it to ensure that the next few days pass off without incident.""We have appealed for calm in the area and I continue to do so. I would appeal to anyone with influence in the community to exert it to ensure that the next few days pass off without incident."
The pipe bomb exploded just as loyalists were holding a demonstration in the Protestant Twadell Avenue nearby, although no civilians were caught in the blast.The pipe bomb exploded just as loyalists were holding a demonstration in the Protestant Twadell Avenue nearby, although no civilians were caught in the blast.
Sinn Féin minister in the power sharing executive Gerry Kelly said the attack was "completely unacceptable" and "not supported by the vast majority of the community in Ardoyne".Sinn Féin minister in the power sharing executive Gerry Kelly said the attack was "completely unacceptable" and "not supported by the vast majority of the community in Ardoyne".
Dissident republicans linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann are being blamed locally for the bomb attack. The incident is the first attack by republicans on the police since the latest disturbances were triggered in this corner of north Belfast.Dissident republicans linked to the Óglaigh na hÉireann are being blamed locally for the bomb attack. The incident is the first attack by republicans on the police since the latest disturbances were triggered in this corner of north Belfast.
Alliance North Belfast representative Cllr John Blair condemned those who threw the pipe bomb at police lines.
Blair said: "Police officers could have been killed by this pipe bomb. This attack was completely unacceptable and should be condemned by all."
Forty-four police officers have been injured over three nights of rioting since Friday after an Orange Order march was banned from returning along the Crumlin Road in the north of the city passing by the Ardoyne shops.
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