50 police officers hurt in Irish riots

NORTHERN Ireland cannot afford a repeat of the sectarian violence that left almost 50 police officers injured after riots in north Belfast, Chief Constable Matt Baggott has warned.

Water cannon was deployed at the weekend when the officers were attacked with fireworks, petrol bombs and masonry in disturbances they said initially involved several hundred loyalists.

Nationalists were also involved in the clashes, which surrounded a republican march that ran near the scene of recent disorder at a loyalist parade.

The chief constable called on community leaders to take action to reduce tensions.Loyalists and republicans attacked police in the Carlisle Circus and Antrim Road areas during significant but localised violence on Sunday.