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SERIOUS VIOLENCE IN Northern Ireland over the flying of the Union flag is being orchestrated by loyalist paramilitary organisations, the head of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland has said.
Terry Spence made the claims as PSNI officers came under sustained attack from a crowd of protesters in Belfast for the third successive day on Saturday.
A crowd of more than one hundred people attacked police for almost four hours around the Newtownards Road area of east Belfast using fireworks, golf balls and masonry as weapons. One police officer sustained injuries in the disorder but did not require hospital treatment.
Police are also investigating claims that shots were fired at police during the disturbance. A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.
Nine people were arrested on public order offences and appeared before a special sitting of Belfast Magistrates Court last night.
Paramilitary group “holding the community to ransom”
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live last night, Terry Spence of the Police Federation of Northern Ireland, which represents PSNI officers, said that a loyalist paramilitary group had “hijacked” the flags issue and were using “any excuse” to attack the police.
“[I have] absolutely no doubt whatsoever that this violence is being orchestrated by loyalist paramilitary organisations, and primarily by the UVF,” he said.
This paramilitary group have been holding the local community to ransom.
The protests have been ongoing since 2 December when Belfast City Council voted to change the number of days the Union flag flies over the council building from 365 days per year to fifteen.
A motion had initially been put forward which would have seen the Union flag removed completely from the Council building but the compromise motion of 15 days was put forward by the Alliance Party.
Since then there have been flashpoint protests across Northern Ireland and an increased number of security alerts. Police are treating a viable device which was found under the car of a police officer one week ago as attempted murder.
“Illegal protests have no legitimacy”
SDLP policing spokesperson Conall McDevitt said the protests are illegal and have no legitimacy.
“Whatever grievance some people may have had, it [is] totally lost when they allow people to use these protests as cover for attempted murder,” he said.
“There is only one response possible – and that’s a firm policing response against everyone involved in illegal protests and anyone seeking to organise or encourage illegal or violent demonstrations”.
(All photos: Paul Faith/PA Wire)
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How come none of our well paid TDs in the Dail did not explore this option following the bank guarantee (ie hold a referendum and ask the people if they wanted to risk €60,000,000,000 on Anglo et al) – Keaveney needs to stop playing silly buggers – Colm either shut up or get up of your parliamentary posterior and set up your own party. We’ve all had enough talk and tapes this week.
A ‘lot of TDs’, including Mr Coveney, are also in for a shock when they find out the voters have moved on from the old right-wing Catholic conformity.
So he wants women to be forced to continue a pregnancy against thier will which the UN has said is torture?
I suppose the ripping apart, limb by limb of an innocent baby is not torture! Deluded pro aborts show their ugly side once again
Domhnall, that’s a ridiculous and immature comment on such a sensitive subject.
Can we deal with the facts here?
Ignore domhnall, he’s a youth defense shill. All they have is shock tactics and tantrum language.
Pro aborts gets me every time haha. It’s hard to believe that they (YD), are a serious group, when all they sound like are bullies in the playground.
I can’t wait to see their reaction when abortion will be legal!
Why are we still being subjected to the musings of Keaveney? He’s just another Independent TD now. I think there are two hotlines in the Journal office, one direct to Pearse Doherty and one straight to Keaveney.
Keavney just relinquished his mandate, and left his electorate swinging in the wind. You can’t have it every way Colm! Tough decisions , jump ship!!! Pathetic !
Sure the reason he left the Labour Party was for the abortion legislation rather than cuts, sure he’s having talks with Ganly, he’s jumped ship to join right wing politics
I seriously doubt Ganley would let that muppet make coffee
“A new referendum removing suicide as a grounds for abortion would also have to include other issues, said Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.
He said he did not believe it would be possible to vote a third time on the issue without asking questions on allowing terminations on the grounds of rape, alleged rape, incest, the health of the mother or in the case of a foetus incompatible with life.
“People who are pro-life in this House, or outside of this House, who are calling for referendums should be careful about what they wish for because they do not know, for example, how big a Pandora’s Box they may open.’”
I say let the people decide. But any referendum must be worded to suit the people NOT the Catholic church!!
“THE NEWLY-INDEPENDENT TD Colm Keaveney has claimed there are “a lot of people curious” about the possibility of invoking Article 27 of the Constitution and forcing a referendum on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.”
“A lot of people are curious” as to how a legislator i.e. YOU feels they can oppose legislating for two previous referenda and a supreme court decision. You are obliged to legislate in support of supreme court decisions. if you refuse to do your job, you should resign your seat.
I am kinda curious myself, let it go to a referendum and pass and see the next excuse that he comes up with.
He’ll claim that we can’t POSSIBLY be sure without four referendums. Maybe five.
I very respectfully suggest that Deputy Keaveney needs to stop now.
Nobody cares what Keaveney thinks.
I suppose mr keavney has to keep in the news somehow -
Why not take what’s on offer? This is the bare minimum! However, the fact that women will still have to go to England to abort foetuses that inevitably will not survive is a shocking disgrace. Lets face it, our legislators are, in the main,cowards and hypocrites.
“A new referendum removing suicide as a grounds for abortion would also have to include other issues, said Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar.
He said he did not believe it would be possible to vote a third time on the issue without asking questions on allowing terminations on the grounds of rape, alleged rape, incest, the health of the mother or in the case of a foetus incompatible with life.
“People who are pro-life in this House, or outside of this House, who are calling for referendums should be careful about what they wish for because they do not know, for example, how big a Pandora’s Box they may open.’”
I say have a referendum and let the people decide once and for all. But the referendum MUST be worded to suit the people NOT the Catholic church or the extreme right wing politicians!!
I am glad to seeAt last the right minded TDs and senators working together for the common good
Most people know FinnGael and labour are only puppets for Europe
The economy was destroyed and our TD’s didn’t say a word about it. Now they’re all up in arms because women might be given a tiny bit more say in how to run their lives. The country is a farce.
Go back to mass Patrick.
Yes, Rodrigo. And you are one of the reasons our economy is in tatters..
Funny, never once in the reasons given for the recession in our economy did anyone ever tell me that it was Rodrigo Detriano’s fault in any way.
Can everyone agree to stop paying attention to Deputy Keavney, please?
The only thing Colm cares about is Colm. Abortion, the economy, democracy…they’re just a means for Colm to increase his profile. The sooner people stop reacting to him, the sooner we’ll forget him, then he can be turfed out at the next election, and go back to being an ineffective union rep.
They’ll get another ten articles out of this interview yet.
I’m fascinated to know where this fear and mistrust of women stems from. Are the likes of Keaveney so scared that the moment free, safe, abortion becomes legal in Ireland that we’ll all be queueing round the block for one like they’re Michael Buble tickets.
Is it so necessary for religious groups and politicians to actively campaign for the continued control of women’s movements, rights and health in the 21st century?
There will NEVER be a situation where a man will be told he has to wait for treatment until his medical condition threatens his life as opposed to his health. So why is it okay for these men to dictate these restrictions to women?
The 8th amendment hasn’t saved lives. It’s killed women. We need rid of it now.
TDs who vote for this “pro-abortion” legislation are behaving like “turkeys voting for Christmas”"
Kill the Bill not the chid!
Hiding behind the whip won’t help TDs in the next election!
Where is Fine Gael’s pre-election undertaking today.
“Fine Gael in Government will not legislate for abortion”! Or will it break its promise?
Does Fine Gael intend to break its pre-election promise?
How can any voter vote for Fine Gael in the future?
Fine Gael has deceived the Irish People!
Enda please tell the truth:-
How many lives will your Bill save?
How many lives will your Bill kill?
Yawn.
Women have been killed as a result of being denied treatment under the 8th amendment.
Would you stand for being told that your tumour/heart disease/diabetes isn’t going to be treated until it’s life threatening? Why do you insist women do?
A really excellent point.
Colm Keaveney mentioned on one of the papers today, that he is concerned about the lack of time limit, in the proposed legislation.
A lot of people share that concern.
@ Zoe – if you have a time limit and the mother’s life is in danger after the limit do you deny an abortion?
I have no problem with termination, where the mothers life is in danger.
For example in a life saving medical emergency.
No one disputes that.
@ Zoe – some people do dispute it and state abortion should not be allowed even then.
This Bill does not go far enough – no provision for fatal abnormalities, that a doctor can choose not to perform the procedure is appalling (what if a woman’s life is so in danger and a doctor opts out through conscience and another can’t be found quickly enough? Also the legal part – could this mean 14 years for taking the RU486?
More freedom is needed.
Funny Zoe, you say you don’t dispute it – yet that’s all they are legislating for and you are quite vocal in your opposition..
Yes, Zoe. However, it is very, very difficult in clinical scenarios to make the health/life distinction.
The late Mrs. Savitaa Halappanavar would probably be alive now if an abortion on health grounds had been permissible in this State.
It is important to remember this very salient point when discussing abortion.
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