RUC chief appeals for support

12 July: Eve of marches marked with bonfires in Protestant areas

RUC Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan has told Northern Ireland that it can "come through" the Drumcree parade protests as loyalists celebrate the height of the marching season.

Speaking after a senior Catholic Bishop warned that Northern Ireland risked "sliding into anarchy", Sir Ronnie said that his officers were doing their very best in difficult circumstances.

Incidents (from 1 July)

280 attacks on RUC/Army

146 arrests

288 petrol bombings

77 homes damaged

358 vehicles damaged

88 vehicles hijacked

For the second night running Orange Order members took to the streets, demanding a lifting of the ban on their march down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown.

But police reported fewer disturbances than on Monday as loyalists chose to light bonfires to mark the beginning of the traditional "Twelfth", the most important date in the Protestant marching calendar.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Ronnie rejected accusations that the RUC was standing back.

"I understand the frustration of people who are caught up in these roadblocks," he said.

"I understand the apprehension of people who fear we are slipping into anarchy but I ask them to bear with us.

"We are doing all that is humanly possible. We need the support of all right-thinking people."

Sir Ronnie said that despite a relatively low number of arrests - 146 - there would be far more prosecutions.

"Although we have difficult days to face, I have every confidence we will come though," he stressed.

Eve of the Twelfth

Across Protestant areas of Northern Ireland, many loyalists called an early halt to demonstrations so that they could prepare for the 12 July celebrations.

Carrickfergus: Scene of continuing disturbances

By midnight, fireworks and bonfires were ablaze in many areas.

However, at the heart of the Drumcree parade dispute in Portadown, at least 500 loyalists cheered as they placed an effigy of an RUC officer at the top of a bonfire.

And in what may be the most serious incidents of the evening, army bomb disposal experts defused two small explosive devices - one found at a hall belonging to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, a traditional nationalist organisation.

Protests "intolerable"

Speaking to the BBC, Bishop of Down and Connor Patrick Walsh said that the protests were "intolerable".

Bishop Walsh: "Families living in fear"

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

"Those orchestrating violence and fomenting passions and hatred with bitter speeches bear an awesome responsibility.

"What they are doing is morally wrong."

Earlier on Tuesday, riot police forced a loyalist crowd away from security gates leading into the nationalist Garvaghy Road.

The area's residents association, which refuses to agree to the Orange Order parade without prior talks, said that the "ongoing violence and intimidation" was diminishing the chances of a deal.

Twelfth celebrations

County Armagh Grand Lodge, the parent organisation of the Portadown members who called the protests, has appealed for a "massive turn-out" at the 18 principle 12 July demonstrations.

Around 10,000 Orangemen from 1,500 lodges are expected to turn out for the largest demonstration in Belfast.

But Seamus Close, the deputy leader of the cross-community Alliance Party, said businesses which had lost money because of the protests should consider legal action against the Orange Order.

Many shops and businesses in Belfast and other towns have closed early for two nights running, leaving shopping areas deserted.

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