Slugger O'Toole: The cost of rioting...

Wasnt there well over 100 PSNI injued in the Ardoyne riots with NO plastic bullets fired?

Newsletter
www.newsletter.co.uk
14/9/05

Protestants 'driven into arms of paramilitaries'
BY PHILIP BRADFIELD
p.bradfield@newsletter.co.uk

A RETIRED riot control police officer claims the PSNI are driving ordinary Protestants into the arms of paramilitaries with their heavy handness.
John Little, who retired as a chief inspector after 30 years' service, was on the Al-bertbridge Road all day on Saturday: "I saw a black hatred in the ordinary Protestants that I never saw while commanding in riot situations in Drumcree, west Belfast or Londonderry," he said.
"Without going looking for them I have personally seen baton round injuries on two children of seven and on others of nine, 11 and 14.
"The Chief Constable says his officers will only fire at identifiable rioters as a last resort and they are not allowed to fire at children.
"But the injuries I have seen are not typical of baton rounds bouncing off the ground before hitting their target.
"In some cases the skin has even been broken by the force.
"Mothers have been coming to me in tears as the hospitals are saying the police will be coming for anyone who has been treated for baton rounds injuries.
"I just cannot understand Hugh Orde coming out and demonising Protestants with such emotive language as he has been using. Anyone rioting deserves to be thrown in jail but has he forgotten these areas will still need to be policed afterwards?
"These children are not going to come around with a few sweeties and a police disco and this is going to leave a vacuum for paramilitaries to step into."
He describes the riot control he saw as "shambolic" and "lacking command and control, using inexperienced officers". He further claims police were "running amok" and beating women, the elderly and children. "There was no attempt to contact with elected representatives on the ground to calm things down," he added.
On Sunday he also claims blast bombs were being thrown from the nationalist Short Strand into Protestant Cluan Place.
"I said to one policeman that the explosions were blast bombs and asked him to intervene, but he dismissed them as fireworks. They just didn't care what was happening to Protestants."
A police spokeswoman said it was vital people were aware of the ferocity of attacks directed at police during recent disturbances. "Officers dealt with horrendous violence and responded with minimal force," she said.
"They have been shot at, stoned, petrol-bombed and assaulted but still carried out their duty professionally to protect life and property.
"We strongly reject any allegations that police stood by and did nothing during the disturbances."

John Little the retired RUC man:

What on earth were children of this age doing at a riot? unbeleivable!

"I saw a black hatred in the ordinary Protestants that I never saw while commanding in riot situations in Drumcree

Really John, oh yes it was picnic time at Drumcree, black hatred eh? I thought it was peaceful protest on the Albertbridge Rd, goes to show you eh! Condemn/condone whats the difference!

Anyone rioting deserves to be thrown in jail but has he forgotten these areas will still need to be policed afterwards?

Did this ame logic apply to the Nationalist areas John policed I wonder!

On Sunday he also claims blast bombs were being thrown from the nationalist Short Strand into Protestant Cluan Place.

No one anywhere in East Belfast including the 700 rioters,any gods ammount of PSNI/ARMY the RESIDENTS of Cluan Place, absolutely no one has made this allegation accept of course the boul ex RUC man John Little.....amazing!
Well now, this John Little had to have went to the same training college as our oul freind and comic Dawson Baillie, now I understand why the last 35 yrs of strife took place, with these pillars of society leading the front line!

"Any chance the Newsletter carried actual photos of those allegedly injured tots?"

Yes there were two accompanying pictures.

Orde challenged on PSNI actions
BY JOANNE LOWRY
j.lowry@newsletter.co.uk

AN east Belfast women's group has accused the PSNI of "heavy-handed" policing during protests after Saturday's re-routed Whiterock parade.
Jean Bames, chairwoman of the area's Concerned Women's Group, has challenged the Chief Constable to explain police handling of a "peaceful" protest.
"My women's group are at a complete loss when we try to understand the nature of the PSNI's decision to react in such a heavy-handed way," said Ms Bames.
"Since our group was formed we have fostered good working relationships with the police on the ground, seeking to articulate our concerns and the concerns of our community in a proper manner.
"We feel that all of this good work has been undone following the police operation."
She added: "The contrast in how we were treated on Saturday compared with how nationalists were treated when they staged a similar protest in June 2004 could not be greater.
"This basic right was not afforded to us.
"We came under attack by clearly prepared nationalist residents. The police response beggars belief."
Ms Bames said: "I challenge the Chief Constable to explain why it appears that it is one rule for nationalists but another rule for Protestants when it comes to the right to protest."
A PSNI spokeswoman said: "The incidents over the past weekend cannot be compared to other protests in the past.
"Over 80 officers were injured as police came under sustained attack with missiles, petrol bombs, blast bombs, pipe bombs and live rounds.
"We constantly strive to improve our service and work daily with communities to gain their support, as we try to make their areas safer and we would ask for community representatives not to remain silent or to criticise but to work with us."

Today:

"Loyalists staging a demonstration outside the Belfast headquarters of the Policing Board have heckled Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde.

The protesters, who are mainly women, were angry at the way police handled three days of disorder which followed Saturday's Whiterock parade.

They shouted "shame" at Sir Hugh as he was driven into the board meeting.

Board chairman Sir Desmond Rea has already spoken with the group who told him of allegations of PSNI misconduct."

"Ironic to see some people demanding photographic proof."

Yes, imagine that! A mass group of thugs have shut down the city for days, injuring civilians and security alike. Inciting small children and extremely impressionable teenagers into thinking that riots 'are fun'. All the while rationalizing such violence and terror because they couldn't walk 75 metres into another community to portray their grotesque triumphalism. Then, to top it all off, even though every single media outlet that covers Northern Ireland has shown horrible, heart rendering photos of the damage done by loyalists, those same loyalists want us now to believe that they are the victims.

Yes, imagine that.


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