Police, Protestants stand-off in Belfast

April 8, 1996
Web posted at: 10:40 p.m. EDT (0240 GMT)

BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) -- Northern Ireland's season of sectarian marches got off to a rocky start Monday when Protestant marchers clashed with police on a Belfast bridge.

Police stopped the Protestant Apprentice Boys' Parade from entering a Catholic neighborhood on Ormeau Road, but the marchers refused to disband. The stand-off continued through the day, and erupted into violence when marchers began tossing firebombs and bottles at police.

Police responded by firing plastic bullets into the crowd. "We have tried to be patient, but look at what you're dealing with," said Deputy Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan.

As night fell, police and protesters held their positions. The standoff had little effect on traffic because it was Easter Monday, a national holiday. But authorities are concerned about the prospect of a second day of stubborn marchers.

"They don't reroute St. Patrick's Day in New York," said Martin McDowell, one of the marchers. "They won't reroute our parade. We'll stand here as long as it takes."

Monday's parade commemorated a 1689 incident when 13 teen-age apprentices locked the gates of Londonderry against a besieging Catholic army.

Several people were reportedly hurt, but none of them seriously, in scuffles involving police and news crews.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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