Four policemen injured in bombing by loyalist protesters
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Four RUC officers were injured yesterday when a blast bomb was thrown by loyalists at Catholic pupils and their parents outside the trouble-torn Holy Cross primary school in north Belfast. The attack came after three consecutive days and nights of serious disturbances.
Distraught girls ran screaming and crying when the device exploded as police shepherded Ardoyne residents to the school, which is in a Protestant district. Philomena Flood, who was with her seven-year-old daughter, Erinn, said: "It was absolute chaos. As the blast bomb went off, we just ran around in circles. There were children everywhere; we were trying to grab our own and get to the school."
Panic-stricken children were comforted by parents and teachers at the school. Last night, several defiant parents said that despite the dangers they would continue to use the contested route to the school.
The paramilitary Red Hand Defenders claimed responsibility for the attack, which aroused outrage and condemnation in many quarters, including loyalists and Unionists. Most believe the Ulster Defence Association, the largest Protestant paramilitary group, was behind the incident. Three men have been arrested.
John White, the Ulster Democratic Party chairman, whose party is linked to the UDA, called for dialogue, adding: "I don't know who did it. I wouldn't deny there weren't UDA in the vicinity, but I have absolutely no idea who hurled that blast bomb."
The incident was seen as a new low in a dispute that is resulting in the worst kind of publicity for Northern Ireland, and a general questioning of the state of the peace process. John Reid, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, who described the episode as "the road to barbarism", cut short a holiday to return to Belfast.
Detectives have appealed for witnesses to the death of a Protestant teenager in north Belfast on Tuesday. Thomas McDonald died after his bicycle was struck by a car that came from a Catholic estate. A woman has been arrested.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments