Man's head 'stamped on' during racist attack
There was a large police presence in the Sandy Row area
- Published
An assault on a man in his 50s is being investigated as a racially motivated hate crime, police in Belfast have said.
Witnesses reported seeing attackers stamp on his head on Monday evening, while members of the public tried to shield him.
The man was taken to hospital and his condition is described as serious.
"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," police said.
At a press conference, a senior police officer said she has "no doubt" that there is a "paramilitary element" involved in orchestrating recent violence and disorder on the streets of Belfast.
A 15-year-old boy has been charged with two counts of riot and possession of a weapon with intent to commit an indictable offence following the disorder in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police said he would appear in court on Wednesday.
In west Belfast, police said a young boy was assaulted by a group of up to 10 youths on Tuesday evening in an incident they are treating as a hate crime.
The victim suffered a minor facial injury in the attack which happened as a group attacked a shop on the Falls Road by throwing eggs at about 18:10 BST.
The Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said "those involved in this violent disorder are damaging the very communities they falsely claim to represent".
Mr Benn thanked the PSNI for their "continuing efforts to keep our communities safe" and said his thoughts were "with all those who have suffered, including the businesses that have been attacked, and the member of the public who was the victim of a serious assault during last night’s disorder".
He said he would remain in contact with the first and deputy first ministers, the justice minister, and chief constable and will "continue to offer them my full support".
What happened on Monday in Belfast?
A petrol bomb was thrown at police during Monday's disorder
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Melanie Jones said the man was "brutally attacked by a mob" following several hours of disorder in south Belfast.
"Witnesses reported seeing his attackers stamp on his head as other, decent members of the public attempted to shield him from further attack," she told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.
"Police officers managed to get this man to safety and secure his medical treatment. He remains being treated in hospital at this time with serious injuries."
Prior to the attack, multiple petrol bombs, masonry, and bricks were thrown towards police.
Petrol was also poured over a PSNI Land Rover and set alight.
ACC Jones said "upwards of 100 people were involved" in the disorder, which created a "dynamic and difficult" scenario for police officers.
She said she has "no doubt" that there is a "paramilitary element" to the violence and that police are keeping an "open mind" on the involvement of other elements.
In response to criticism of the police response from those affected, she said that "we always wish we could have done more" and that the policing operation "is costing us significantly".
ACC Jones says she has "no doubt" there is a "paramilitary element" to recent violence
More than 300 police officers were deployed in south Belfast on Monday evening.
Speaking at a press conference in PSNI headquarters, ACC Jones said there was "clearly [a] younger element" to Monday night's disorder.
Those involved were "despicable people intent on violence," she added.
During the course of the disorder, officers discharged two baton rounds, with one person struck on the hand.
ACC Jones told BBC News NI they had a "calming effect".
She added that baton rounds were also used during disorder on Saturday, which was the first time in a number of years.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour and remains in police custody.
Ms Jones added that water cannon was "always available as a tactic".
"It wasn’t used last night," she said. "It wasn’t considered appropriate... [going forward] we will use and consider the full range of tactics.”
She added the PSNI is working closely with An Garda Síochána (Irish police force) colleagues in identifying and prosecuting those responsible for recent disorder.
The Children’s Commissioner Chris Quinn said it is “really troubling” to see young people caught up in the disorder.
He told BBC News NI's Evening Extra programme he was worried about misinformation on social media.
“I would be really concerned about what children and young people are being told,” he added.
Belfast disorder: More on this story
A clean-up operation is under way after Monday night's disorder
BBC News NI reporter Cormac Campbell witnessed a "huge police response" in the south Belfast area at about 21:30 BST on Monday.
He said bins were set alight and stones were thrown as officers in riot gear largely focused on moving people along the Donegall Road area.
Earlier in the evening, a protest and counter-protest involving about 40 people had formed in the area of Ormeau Avenue about 17:00 BST.
A report was also made of criminal damage to a family home in the Pandora Street area with windows broken.
It followed a weekend of violence which saw businesses damaged after an anti-immigration protest in the city on Saturday.
Police had previously said three officers had been injured during clashes.
On Monday, four men were charged in relation to Saturday's disorder.
- Published5 August
- Published5 August
