2005 Belfast riots

Riot in the UK April 2022 2005 Belfast riots 10–12 September 2005(previous riots also happened in July) Belfast and County Antrim, Northern Ireland Orange Order re-routing Street protests, riots Police Service of Northern Irelandborder|22px British Army Ulster loyalists (including members of the 22px Ulster Volunteer Force) Ulster loyalists (including members of Loyalist Volunteer Force) 81 police officers injured Casualties The 2005 Belfast riots were serious loyalist riots and civil disturbances in Belfast, Northern Ireland in September 2005. The violence broke out after the Protestant Orange Order Whiterock parade was re-routed to avoid the Irish nationalist Springfield Road area. Clashes also broke out in several towns in County Antrim.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4233850.stm Violent clashes erupt in Belfast 11 September 2005 news.bbc.co.uk The incidents took place amid a fierce feud between members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) and Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF), who are also thought to have orchestrated the riots.https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/12/northernireland.angeliquechrisafis Riots rain on Belfast's parade Angelique Chrisafis 12 September 2005 the Guardian Background Amid increasing sectarian violence and feuds between loyalists, the Whiterock Orange Order parade was delayed in June by the Order in protest against the decision to re-route it via a disused factory site. Irish nationalists opposed the Order to run through their streets.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4209298.stm City parade re-routing criticised 2 September 2005 news.bbc.co.uk On 8 September, the Parades Commission said that the decision will stand. Loyalists blocked roads in north and west Belfast as a result.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4225232.stm Whiterock march re-routing stands 8 September 2005 news.bbc.co.uk On 13 July 2005, 80 police officers and seven civilians were injured during nationalist rioting in Ardoyne, north Belfast. Members of the Continuity IRA were blamed after police officers were attacked after withdrawing from policing an Orange Order parade with petrol and blast bombs.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4677401.stm 80 officers injured during riot 13 July 2005 news.bbc.co.uk On 4 August 2005, a five-hour loyalist riot in north Belfast injured 40 police officers.http://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/08/05/nireland.riots/ CNN.com - 40 police hurt in N. Ireland riots - Aug 5, 2005 CNN The rioting broke out after the arrests of six men in connection with the loyalist feud between the UVF and LVF paramilitaries.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/05/uk.northernireland1 Police hold six over loyalist turf war deaths Angelique Chrisafis 5 August 2005 the Guardian Clashes On the first night of violence on Saturday 10 September, a policeman was shot in the eye as a barrage of petrol bombs were thrown at Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers. An Ulster Defence Association (UDA) member was also hurt in a bomb blast. A cameraman from the BBC was also abducted by loyalist gunmen in Lower Shankill estate, where his camera was destroyed before being released.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/sep/11/uk.northernireland Loyalists shoot at police as riot hits Belfast Henry McDonald 11 September 2005 the Guardian Rioting continued for a second day on 11 September as a 700-strong mob clashed with police, blocking roads and setting cars on fire. The violence spread to Albertbridge Road in east Belfast. 1,000 police officers and 1,000 British Army soldiers were deployed.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1498220/Belfast-hit-by-second-night-of-rioting-as-loyalist-mob-attacks-police.html Belfast hit by second night of rioting as loyalist mob attacks police Richard Savill and Matt Barnwell 11 September 2005 www.telegraph.co.uk On the third night of rioting, violence spread to County Antrim where police were attacked and cars set ablaze in Lisburn, Ballymena, Carrickfergus and other towns. The situation in Belfast was reduced.https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/13/northernireland Loyalist riots spread beyond Belfast Staff and agencies 13 September 2005 the Guardian Aftermath The riots were the worst in Northern Ireland since the end of the Troubles. PSNI statistics show that 115 shots were fired at police, 146 blast bombs thrown, and 116 vehicles were hijacked.https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/revealed-the-horrific-tally-from-loyalist-riots-28223222.html Revealed - the horrific tally from loyalist riots Belfasttelegraph www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk The Orange Order blamed the PSNI's actions for being "brutal".https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4234626.stm NI sees 'worst rioting in years' 11 September 2005 news.bbc.co.uk A police investigation discovered a loyalist bomb factory in Highfield estate, north Belfast.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/police-find-bomb-factory-after-night-of-rioting-311929.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/police-find-bomb-factory-after-night-of-rioting-311929.html 1 May 2022 subscription Police find bomb factory after night of rioting Independent.co.uk 12 September 2005 On 14 September 2005, the Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced that the British government no longer recognised the UVF's ceasefire implemented in 1994 following the "ruthless" attacks on police during the riots.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4243652.stm 14 September 2005 29 July 2009 BBC News Hain says UVF ceasefire is over Two loyalist men, John Main and Colin Harbinson, from Belfast's Glencairn area, were jailed in 2007 for opening fire and attempting to murder security forces during the riots.https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/loyalists-jailed-for-rioting-offences-28066506.html Loyalists jailed for rioting offences Belfasttelegraph www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk See also Holy Cross dispute 2011 Northern Ireland riots Belfast City Hall flag protests 1997 Northern Ireland riots References 30em Category:Riots and civil disorder in Northern Ireland Category:Protests in Northern Ireland Category:2000s in Northern Ireland Category:21st century in Belfast Category:September 2005 in the United Kingdom Category:History of Belfast