Business targeted again and man hospitalised after ‘hate crime’ during another night of Belfast violence

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour.

At one point last night, some rioters attempted to re-torch a supermarket in Sandy Row. However, riot police extinguished the fire with water and fire extinguishers.

The business had been seriously damaged on Saturday evening.

This morning, its owner sat outside, surveying the latest damage. He was too upset to speak.

Some people arrived at the scene to show their support for the owner.

“We are scared to go out” – Shop owners speak out after second night of disorder in Sandy Row

Meanwhile, a man in his 50s was taken to hospital after he was “seriously assaulted” in the Donegall Road and Oban Street area.

Police said his attackers “stamped on his head as members of the public attempted to shield him from further attack” and said his condition in hospital remains “serious” and the attack is being treated as a hate crime.

Riot police and a police drone were deployed in the Sandy Row and the Donegall Road areas as violence broke out following a weekend of disruption in the area.

Speaking to BBC NI Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said there is “no justification” for the continuing disruption.

“I want to condemn it in the strongest possible terms and I also want to send my thoughts to those most affected,” he said.

“There is never any justification for this type of violent behaviour. There is no justification for attack on the police it needs to stop and it needs to stop straight away.”

More than 200 people were involved, as the PSNI were attacked with petrol bombs, bricks, and bottles by a crowd which included youths wearing masks.

The large crowd also gathered outside the Islamic centre until the early hours of the morning.

Police sources told the Belfast Telegraph that two water cannons lent to the Garda have been sent to Belfast. They were not deployed last night, however they may be in operation from today.

Challenged about whether he thought the levels of immigration in Northern Ireland were influencing the disorder over recent days, Mr Lyons added: “Certainly there are additional pressures n public services in some parts of Northern Ireland. That doesn’t mean there is any justification for violence.

“If you have concerns and want to express those concerns there are legitimate peaceful and democratic ways in which you can do that.

“What I don’t think we should do is downplay how some people are feeling about this issue. When we try to dismiss the legitimate concerns of people it adds to the frustration many people feel.”

Shortly before 10.30pm, the PSNI advised the public to avoid the Donegall Road and Sandy Row areas.

In a statement today, the PSNI said: “In a second night of rioting and disorder, mainly in the areas of Donegall Road and Sandy Row, police officers came under sustained attack over a number of hours with multiple petrol bombs, heavy masonry and bricks thrown in their direction.

“Petrol was also poured over a police landrover and set alight, thankfully the occupants of the vehicle were not physically harmed and remained on duty.

“Earlier in the evening, a protest and counter-protest involving approximately 40 people had formed in the area of Ormeau Avenue around 5pm.

“Officers attended to ensure an appropriate and proportionate policing response. A report was then made of criminal damage to a family home in the Pandora Street area with windows broken.

“A small group gathered at the junction of University Road/Bradbury Place before moving to Donegall Road. However, larger crowds gathered with some masked rioters mounting attacks on officers.

“During the course of the serious disorder, authorised officers discharged two Attenuating Energy Projectiles (AEPs) with one rioter struck on the hand.

“Attempts were also made to torch a supermarket which had been targeted on Saturday night. Officers were able to douse this small fire before it developed.

“A number of nearby roads were closed by police to ensure the safety of the public and local residents, and to enable officers to deal with the situation and disorder safely. All roads were subsequently reopened.”

Temporary PSNI assistant chief constable Melanie Jones said: “This disorder, violence and destruction has no place in Belfast or anywhere else across the streets of Northern Ireland.

“We are engaging with groups that have been affected by this disorder and we are gathering evidence, CCTV and other footage to progress criminal investigations.

“We are working at pace to identify offenders and make arrests. We are determined to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. Anyone who has information or who can help identify those responsible is asked to contact us on 101.”

Saturday’s anti-immigration protest, which was met by a counter-demonstration at city hall, moved to the surrounding streets as some of those involved tried to make their way to the Belfast Islamic Centre in the south of the city, with businesses attacked and a café set alight.

Three police officers were injured during the disorder and four members of the public reported that they were assaulted.

Yesterday morning, four men appeared in court over their alleged roles in Saturday’s unrest. All were denied bail.

Yesterday evening, an anti-immigration protest at the Clayton Hotel in Belfast city centre ended with no reports of violence. The protest was set to begin at 5pm with only around 15 protesters arriving shortly before 6pm and they only stayed for around 20 minutes.

More on the weekend’s disorder

“Nothing left just ashes” – Businesses destroyed during night of racist disorder in south Belfast

‘I’m closing forever’: Business owners in Sandy Row leave after anti-immigration protests turn violent