Police riot officers had a stand off with youths in North Belfast this evening.
It followed a call for “all PUL protests” to be postponed as a mark of respect to the Queen and Royal family following Prince Philip’s death.
Signs posted on Lanark Way also said the “continued opposition to the NI protocol and all the other injustices against the PUL community will take place again after the period of mourning”.
Police and public representatives also called for calm again on Friday following days of violence in the city and further afield.
Early this evening a PSNI spokesperson told Belfast Live: “Police are aware of a small group of young people in North Queen Street and we will be monitoring the area.”
While it remained “quiet” in most parts of Northern Ireland, youths threw masonry, bins and petrol bombs at police at the junction of North Queen Street and Brougham Road.
A car was also torched and pushed towards the line of police riot vans.
A police spokesperson said they are in attendance following reports of disorder in the Tiger’s Bay area.
Chief Superintendent Muir Clark said: “We would appeal for calm in the area and ask anyone who has any influence in communities please, use that influence to ensure young people do not get caught up in criminality and that they are kept safe and away from harm tonight.”
He also urged people to avoid the area.
In West Belfast things have been ‘quiet’.
MP for area, Paul Maskey, told Belfast he spent a number of hours on the Springfield Road tonight.
“There are a couple of kids mowing about but no rioting or anything else,” he said.
“It’s quiet here thankfully.”
Earlier, Glider services to both the east and west had been suspended for around an hour following reports of gatherings, but were soon back up and running.
A Translink spokesperson told us: “Services are being closely monitored and are subject to precautionary diversions.
“They have currently been restored.”
Meanwhile in Coleraine, a small group dressed mostly in black blocked the Portrush Road with a burning barricade.
SDLP East Derry MLA Cara Hunter appealed for calm following disorder in Ballysally.
She said: “The last thing people in this community want is further disruption. I understand that tensions are running high but resorting to this kind of behaviour only damages local people and services.
“The crowd burning refuse, blocking roads and intimidating people in this community needs to stop. They need to go home and let people get on with their lives.
“This is a time for calm. Things don’t need to escalate. Young people don’t need to end up with criminal convictions. I’m appealing for everyone to exercise their influence to reduce tensions in our community.”
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