Brexit: UVF murder victim's brother disrupts loyalist protest

Gareth McCord shouted down Loyalist protesting outside the offices of Irish government officials

The brother of a UVF murder victim has disrupted a small Loyalist protest in Belfast against the Irish Sea border.

Gareth McCord, whose brother Raymond was beaten to death in 1997, told representatives of the Loyalist Communities Council (LCC) they had no support in society.

The LCC represents paramilitary groups including the UDA and the UVF.

Mr McCord shouted down LCC representatives outside the offices of Irish government officials.

The protest was brief and was described as symbolic.

The brother of UVF murder victim Raymond McCord told the LCC they had no support in society

LCC chairman David Campbell, accompanied by the former Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry, held up a banner denouncing the Brexit protocol.

Other loyalist protest action is taking place on Monday, including a number of band parades in Bangor and Newtownards.

Translink has suspended a number of bus routes in the area, as a precautionary measure.

Several hundred people turned out for the protest parade from the West Winds estate to Newtownards police station.

Police appeared to be keeping their presence low key, as the parade stopped traffic on its route, with just a couple of police cars seen along the way.

Except for the lack of band uniforms, and the men wearing masks, the atmosphere began to feel reminiscent of the traditional July parades, with children joining in and waving flags.

The gate at the police station was opened briefly as an officer came to take a letter handed in by protestors, before the parade made its way back peacefully to the West Winds estate.

Loyalist activist Jamie Bryson stood on top of a wheelie bin to address the crowd at the police station saying "these protests will continue".

Earlier on Monday evening, bins were set alight and bricks were thrown at police at Lanark Way

In Belfast, bricks have been thrown at police Land Rovers and bins set alight on Lanark Way.

The gates of one of Belfast's so-called peace walls, between loyalist and nationalist areas, have been closed early.

Police confirmed they were attending a report of a "small fire at the Lanark Way area" and advised motorists to avoid the area.

Earlier, the LCC called for protests against the Brexit deal to be peaceful.

Mr McNarry said: "I don't think anybody is asking anybody to block roads.

"Our message is this is all about a peaceful, legitimate, lawful protest. So let's make it lawful and that is what it will be."