The disturbance in the Loyalist area north of Belfast, where petrol bombs were thrown and cars were set alight, follows a night of violence in the Northern Ireland capital in which police officers were injured prompting calls for calm. It is thought rising discontent among unionist pro-British factions in Northern Ireland over arrangements aimed at preserving a fragile peace in the territory by preventing a hard border with EU member Ireland is fueling anger. Tension has also been stoked this week by a decision not to prosecute 24 Sinn Fein party members who attended the funeral in June of Irish Republican Army figure Bobby Storey in blatant violation of of Covid-19 guidelines.
A boy stands and looks on as flames and smoke rises behind him at the scene of violence in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, in Northern Ireland on April 3, 2021. | Photo by AFP
Police vehicles are positioned at the scene of violence in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, in Northern Ireland on April 3, 2021. | Photo by AFP
A burnt out car and flames are seen at the scene of violence in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, in Northern Ireland on April 3, 2021. | Photo by AFP
Flames are seen at the rear of a police vehicle after violence broke out in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, in Northern Ireland on April 3, 2021 | Photo by AFP
A police officer walks behind a police vehicle with flames leaping up the rear after violence broke out in Newtownabbey, north of Belfast, in Northern Ireland on April 3, 2021 | Photo by AFP
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