Pro-British rioters attack Catholic church in Belfast

A Catholic church in Belfast, Northern Ireland has been attacked with petrol bombs, bricks and bottles in another night of chaos and disorder being perpetrated by pro-British rioters.

According to local media reports, children with special needs had to escape from St Matthews parish hall in Belfast on Monday night during a violent assault on the Lower Newtownards Road as petrol bombs, bricks and bottles were thrown at the Catholic church by pro-British rioters.

William Ward, who works at St Matthews church, said, “It was very frightening and very scary for the children. A lot of our people had to come to make sure the church was kept safe and to get the children out safely.”

There were also two attempts to hijack buses as chaos erupted on the streets near Templemore Avenue, the reports said.

Irish republican political party Sinn Féin claimed that homes on Strand Walk in the Short Strand area came under a petrol bomb assault by a crowd of union jack flag protesters who had gathered on the Newtownards Road.

The former lord mayor of Belfast, Niall Donnghaile, described the violence as a “blatant, well-planned and organised sectarian attack”.

Reports have confirmed that at least one police officer was injured during the latest scene of riots in Northern Ireland.

Pro-British loyalists began rioting after local councilors decided on December 3 that the British flag should be flying over the Belfast City Hall only for 17 designated days rather than all year round, as was formerly the norm.