N. IRELAND: DRUMCREE STAND-OFF LATEST SITUATION

(14 Jul 1998) Natural Sound
There has been more unrest at the site of the Orange Order's protest at Drumcree, near Portadown in Northern Ireland.
Several Orangemen climbed barricades erected by security forces and threw fireworks at police.
The protest began last week after the Order was refused permission to march down the Nationalist Garvaghy Road.
Three protesters, wearing scarves to conceal their faces, clambered up through a gap in the middle of a police barricade - which was put up to prevent the Orangemen from reaching the Garvaghy Road.
The independent Parades Commission last week announced it was blocking attempts by the Protestant Orange Order from marching through the largely Catholic area.
At the site of the protest on the outskirts of Portadown on Monday night, protesters had twice climbed on to the roof of the barricade and begun throwing coils of wire to the ground.
A number of fireworks and petrol bombs were thrown over the barrier by the crowd.
As police officers clambered on to the barricades to remove the protesters, they were forced to retreat by the missiles, which left the barricade shrouded in smoke.
Police responded with plastic bullets fired at the crowd.
But despite the latest incidents, far fewer protesters are at the site compared to last week.
Many have heeded calls to stay away out of respect for the memory of three young Catholic brothers who died in a sectarian arson attack.
But earlier on Monday night, the Democratic Unionist leader, the Reverend Ian Paisley criticised politicians who urged an end to the protest because of the killings.
Paisley was given a rousing reception by members of the Orange Order at Drumcree church, where he pledged to do everything he could to support their campaign.
For now, the stand-off at Drumcree continues.
Find out more about AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives ​​
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: www.aparchive.c...

[@bigjohnnyboots2802]

I would like to know how many plastic bullets were fired if I'm right I would say not to many