Hospital violence follows parade

The trouble broke out after an Orange Order parade

Patients had to be locked in wards at a north Belfast hospital during disturbances following an Orange Order parade.

About 40 youths went on the rampage at the casualty department of the Mater Hospital shortly after 2200 BST on Friday.

Police were called to deal with the gang who had broken away from the Tour of the North parade earlier in the evening.

At the same time a crowd also gathered outside the hospital and tried to get into the Accident and Emergency Department.

No-one was injured in the incident, however a hospital spokesman said the trouble caused great concern to both staff and patients.

Health Minister Angela Smith said the attack was "deplorable"

A 15-year-old youth was arrested in connection with the disturbance, but was later released pending a police report.

Health Minister Angela Smith said she utterly condemned the incident.

"It is disgusting and deplorable that such an incident should have infringed the sanctity of a hospital which is there to serve the entire community," she said.

"All responsible sections of the community will condemn it.

"I would like to praise the hospital for the way they dealt with the incident and for restoring normal services so quickly."

Patricia McKeown, from the health union Unison, said what happened was disgraceful and that staff and patients were left traumatised.

A clear message has to go out, leave our hospitals alone Martin Morgan SDLP councillor

"It is thuggish elements who don't have the kind of respect for our health services or for people in need of treatment, and just believe they can behave in this way, who need to wise up," she said.

Local SDLP councillor Martin Morgan, who was monitoring the parade, described what happened as "unacceptable".

"People who are in the Mater Hospital seeking treatment for injuries or illness certainly shouldn't have to put up with the type of nonsense that went on last night," he said.

"I am quite angry that the police arrested one 15-year-old, what are the police trying to do, placate marchers and the hangers on?

Banned

"No, a clear message has to go out, leave our hospitals alone."

Sinn Fein assembly member Kathy Stanton also described the incident as unacceptable.

"Last night saw patients and staff being terrified and having to be locked into the A&E unit and ambulances being stopped attending calls by a rampage of loyalists, many of whom were still wearing their band regalia," she said.

"In any society hospitals are treated with reverence and respect yet here we see loyalists taking advantage of a very easy and vulnerable target."

Hundreds of Orangemen accompanied by bands took part in the parade which police said passed off without incident.

Meanwhile, a loyal order parade from Whiterock Orange Hall has been banned from going along the Springfield Road in west Belfast next Saturday.

The Parades Commission determination has been criticised by unionists.

Nationalist residents had threatened a protest along the route if the Orangemen had been allowed through.

The commission cited previous breaches of codes of conduct for the restriction.