Police separate rival gangs

Rival gangs have been separated by the security forces in west Belfast after sectarian trouble broke out.

Up to 40 nationalist and loyalist youths threw stones at each other in the Donegall Road area on Thursday evening.

Earlier, the family of an 11-year-old boy, who is deaf, claimed he was attacked by a group of teenagers in the same area.

His mother, Melanie McCourt, said it happened because he was wearing a Rangers football jersey.

Adam Reid, who communicates with sign language, was out with friends on Thursday when according to his mother, he was set upon at Broadway roundabout by a gang.

Ms McCourt said the youths ripped off his shirt and set it on fire.

"They removed his jacket first, then removed his Rangers shirt which was signed by the team's players," she said.

"The child was found more or less hysterical on the motorway."