News / Reports

Northern Ireland Violence

Friday, 09 April 2021 5:10 PM [ Last Update: Friday, 09 April 2021 5:09 PM ]

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 100013)

Amina Taylor

Press TV, London

Another night of rioting on the scale not seen in the north of Ireland for years, according to authorities. During an uneasy stand-off lasting several hours, police officers were attacked, a bus was taken and burnt and petrol bombs thrown as the violence between groups loyal to the United Kingdom and nationalists escalated.

In a rare show of singing from the same hymn sheet, leaders from both sides of the political aisle spoke out against the violence that was rocking the region in Northern Ireland’s Legislative Assembly.

British PM Boris Johnson has sent Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis to Belfast to meet with politicians in a bid to calm tensions but some argue that it is the involvement of London and Westminster that lay at the heart of the troubles, an issue defined by the partition of the island that Westminster has failed to remedy.

The escalation of tensions in the north of Ireland will be a worrying development for Boris Johnson’s conservative government. Brexit was supposed to be a unifier for these United Kingdom. Instead, its exposing deep divisions that have never properly healed.

The Unionists, who propped up the Conservatives when they were in dire need of majority in parliament under Theresa May now find themselves cut adrift and dealing with the fallout from Brexit.

Unionists link the flare-up to the funeral of a noted Republican whose funeral procession broke Covid protocols, nationalists say this is a smokescreen and pledge to defend any move that could undermine the Good Friday Agreement that brought a semblance of stability to the region.

As another day passes, the fears that this could be a return to the ugly days of Irish politics simmers just below the surface with all sides knowing more violence will just mean more to lose.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir