Anarchy warning over Drumcree

Street blockades continue across Northern Ireland

A Catholic bishop has warned that Northern Ireland is in danger of "sliding into anarchy" as loyalist Drumcree protesters continue street protests.

Roads have been blockaded across the province in support of the Protestant Orange Order's controversial Drumcree march campaign, for the second time this week.

But while the demonstrations are fewer in number than Monday, towns and cities are bracing for further trouble linked to a ban on the Order's parade down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh.

Loyalists across Northern Ireland are also lighting bonfires on the eve of the traditional 12 July commemorations, marking the Protestant victory over Catholic King James in 1690.

The Bishop of Down and Connor, Patrick Walsh, said what was happening on the streets was "intolerable".

Bishop Walsh: "Entire communities are being intimidated"

"We are in danger of sliding into anarchy. Entire communities are being harassed and intimidated and many families are living in dread," he said.

"Those who are orchestrating violence and fomenting passions and hatred by bitter speeches bear an awesome responsibility.

"What they are doing cannot be justified. What they are doing is morally wrong."

Some roads are being blocked in Belfast and throughout the province, including parts of Portadown, Londonderry, Dungannon, in County Tyrone; Downpatrick and Moira in County Down, Carrickfergus, Ballymena and Ballymoney in County Antrim.

In Portadown, riot police forced a loyalist crowd away from security gates leading into the nationalist Garvaghy Road, from which the Drumcree march has been barred by the Northern Ireland Parades Commission.

In Bushmills, County Antrim, loyalists hijacked and set a lorry on fire.

Portadown Orange Lodge called for a series of "sporadic and intermittent" protests to proceed loyalist Eleventh Night bonfires to mark the height of the Protestant marching season.

Reported incidents from 1 July

280 attacks on security forces

57 police, 5 soldiers hurt

146 arrests, 72 charged

288 petrol bombings

77 houses damaged

358 vehicles damaged

88 vehicles hijacked

55 businesses damaged

146 arrests, 72 charged

Wednesday is the main day on the Orange calendar when parades will be held in many towns and villages.

County Armagh Grand Lodge has issued a statement urging Protestants to show support for the Orange Institution by a "massive turn-out" at 18 main demonstrations on 12 July.

On Monday night, violence followed four hours of protests called by the Orange Order.

There were outbreaks of rioting and disorder and sporadic incidents of hijacking and stone throwing. Police were shot at and petrol bombed in Belfast.

Security forces in Portadown used a water cannon to disperse 300 loyalists who had gathered on the street and were attacking them with bottles and stones.

Army on patrol in Belfast

Seamus Close, the deputy leader of the cross-community Alliance Party, said traders who had lost profits as a result of the protests should consider taking legal action against the Orange Order.

Many shops in Belfast and other towns closed early for a second day this week.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has accused the RUC of "collaborating" with protesters by refusing to move them aside.

But speaking on the BBC's Newsline programme, RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan, said this was "nonsense".

He said anyone blocking the roads was committing an offence and that there would be "many more retrospective prosecutions".

Protests had to be lawful as well as peaceful, Sir Ronnie said adding that his officers would deal with people "appropriately".

"It matters not a jot to my officers whether people breaking the law are of a so- called loyalist or nationalist disposition," he said.

So far, 146 people involved in the disturbances have been arrested.

Some demonstrations have been peaceful in accordance with Orange Order appeals.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Grand Orange Lodge said: "In keeping with the high ideals of the Orange Institution all members and supporters of the institution should use the eleventh of July to prepare for this event in a totally peaceful manner," it said.

However, the situation remains tense.

Meanwhile, republicans have been blamed for a petrol bomb attack on a hall used jointly by the Orange Order and Church of Ireland at Aghalee in County Antrim.

Six members of the Apprentice Boys loyal order, who were holding a meeting in the hall at the time, were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.