A 61-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly crashing a car into pedestrians during marching season unrest in Belfast.
The car was driven into a crowd near the republican Ardoyne district on Monday, knocking down two people, including a 16-year-old girl who became trapped under the vehicle in the Northern Irish capital. Police officers lifted the vehicle off the girl and gave first aid while separating missile-throwing loyalists from republicans in the north of the city. An older woman suffered a suspected fractured wrist during the same incident.
Trouble flared after a loyal order parade was blocked from marching up a contested strip of north Belfast. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said the suspected driver would appear in Belfast magistrates court on Wednesday charged with two counts of attempted murder.
Man (61) charged with two counts of attempted murder after pedestrians were struck by car close to Ardoyne shops, north Belfast yesterday.
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) July 14, 2015
The PSNI was enforcing a ban on the Orange Order marching back up the Crumlin Road, imposed by the Parades Commission, which rules on contentious marches in Northern Ireland. Violence broke out on the return journey when youths attempted to break through the police barrier and attacked officers with bottles, bricks, stones and a pair of metal ladders. They also fired heavy bolts from catapults.
PSNI assistant chief constable Stephen Martin said: “I am just thankful today because many of us held our breath. When we watched it, many of us feared the worst, and I am thankful that her [the girl’s] injuries are reported as not life-threatening.”
