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Rioting in Northern Ireland breaks fragile calm
July 20, 1996
Web posted at: 3:30 p.m. EDT (1830 GMT)BELFAST, Northern Ireland (CNN) - Police firing plastic bullets battled stone-throwing rioters in Northern Ireland on Saturday in the first serious unrest since last week's street violence in Londonerry and Belfast.
Around 200 rioters fought running street battles overnight with police in Omagh, west of Belfast, smashing property and setting fire to buildings. Police said there were several arrests and some people were taken to hospital.
Catholics who want a united Ireland and Protestants who want the province to stay British held rival parades in the town on Friday night and the rioting began afterwards.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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