Gangs clash in east Belfast sectarian riots

Rival gangs of up to 100 people each were involved in fresh sectarian violence in east Belfast last night, according to police…

Rival gangs of up to 100 people each were involved in fresh sectarian violence in east Belfast last night, according to police.

A PSNI spokesman said the loyalist and nationalist mobs clashed near the Madrid Street interface. They threw stones, bottles and missiles at each other, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.

A derelict house was set on fire.

The disturbances follow rioting on Tuesday night involving up to 500 people, who attacked police with petrol, acid and ammonia bombs.

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At least 12 baton rounds were fired during the violence, which left at least four people injured.

On Saturday night, up to 11 shots were fired at police following sectarian clashes at the flashpoint Thistle Court, which separates the loyalist Newtownards Road from the nationalist Short Strand.

Around 20 petrol bombs were thrown by rioters and police responded by firing several baton rounds.

Kilian Doyle

Kilian Doyle

Kilian Doyle is an Assistant News Editor at The Irish Times