After two nights of violence that left 12 officers injured and 16 people arrested, pockets of protest across Northern Ireland on Thursday passed off without major incident — the result, police said, of a “robust” response and significant social media coordination from outside the region.
About 170 people gathered in Whiteabbey, County Antrim, while around 100 blocked the Newtownards Road in east Belfast. Both demonstrations dispersed without incident, a sharp contrast to the unrest that had flared on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
“Protests across Northern Ireland passed off peacefully after police deployed reinforcements and warned of a robust response.”
The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media. The Police Service of Northern Ireland deployed extra officers, including mutual aid from other UK forces, amid fears of further violence.
Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said there was no evidence loyalist paramilitaries were co-ordinating the unrest, pointing instead to significant activity online. “At this stage we have no evidence to say that the violence is being coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries,” he said. “What we have seen is significant coordination from online social media activity, some from people within Northern Ireland — and some from outside of Northern Ireland, outside the island of Ireland — generating that activity. That momentum, that drive, that toxicity is what’s bringing people out onto the streets. It needs to stop.”
On Tuesday night, homes, businesses and vehicles were targeted. Further disorder on Wednesday hit Glengormley and Portadown, where police came under attack and deployed water cannon. A total of 12 officers were injured and 16 people were arrested during Wednesday’s unrest.
Ahead of Thursday, the PSNI increased its presence, bringing in additional officers from forces elsewhere in the UK. Henderson warned that water cannon, public order dogs and officers in “significant numbers” would be deployed if required, adding: “We will be robust in bringing order to our streets.”
Northern Ireland’s First Minister Michelle O’Neill described “dangerous and disgraceful racist attacks” across the region in recent days, but praised the work of communities supporting one another. “That spirit of solidarity represents the very best of us,” she said.
Northern Ireland Secretary Hillary Benn labelled the violence “racist thuggery”.
With Thursday’s protests ending peacefully, the question remains whether the online activity that fuelled the unrest can be contained before it reignites.