Reaction to NI disturbances

The violence across Northern Ireland after twelfth of July parades has been widely condemned, with dissident republicans being blamed for orchestrated disturbances.

GERRY KELLY, SINN FEIN

"The Real IRA, or whatever they may call themselves and some other splinter organisations, sent people over here with the sole aim to cause riots, to bring this further down into sectarianism.

"They had no concern for the people of this area or their safety.

"A lot of these people, the vast majority of these people, they've not come from this area, have nothing here to offer except grief to the people of this area."

NELSON MCCAUSLAND, DUP

"It's clear that dissident republicans are trying to drag Northern Ireland back into the past.

"It's the ugly face of sectarianism and violence and intolerance that we see with these dissidents.

"I think they also wanted to disrupt the twelfth and they failed."

FATHER GARY DONEGAN, ARDOYNE PRIEST

"Myself and many people were looking at people last night that we'd never seen in the area before in our lives.

"It was as if people had been bussed into the area for this very purpose and that this was being very much orchestrated.

"What do they bring to the area? Nothing, because when they're all gone those residents who live there, day in day out, still are there to pick up the pieces."

ASSISTANT CHIEF CONSTABLE ALISTAIR FINLAY

"Right across Northern Ireland there were hundreds of parades that passed off peacefully.

"However, it is very disappointing that there were a minority of people in north Belfast, Derry, Armagh, Rasharkin and other parts of Northern Ireland who showed total disregard for local communities."

FRANKIE GALLAGHER, ULSTER POLITICAL RESEARCH GROUP

"The unionist and nationalist communities have to stand up to this and not let these people take us back to the old days.

"There's a small element of people in the republican or Irish nationalist community who are recruiting young kids and they're trying to create some sort of political movement."

STEPHEN FARRY, ALLIANCE PARTY

"I am appalled at these despicable scenes. It is sad that the actions of a few have brought shame on Belfast.

"It is essential that politicians from across our community stand united in condemnation of these events and do their best to ensure calm."

BARRY GILLIGAN, POLICING BOARD CHAIRMAN

"There is no support from the public for the violence and disturbances we have seen in some of our towns and cities.

"This kind of disorder will achieve nothing but destruction and the attacks on police officers who have been working to protect public safety is simply unacceptable."

OWEN PATTERSON, CONSERVATIVE PARTY

"It is disappointing for all parts of the community that a small minority tried to mar the day.

"Northern Ireland has come a long way in recent years and small numbers of violent people must not be allowed to disrupt future progress."