NO. IRELAND POLS WORRIED OVER CONTINUING STREET CLASHES

Northern Irish politicians joined together to condemn the violence that has shaken the region over the past six days after eight police officers were injured in clashes relating to post-Brexit trade restrictions and a non-coronavirus-compliant funeral, Isobel Frodsham reported for Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa).

Wednesday night saw a journalist injured, petrol bombs hurled, and a bus hijacked and set on fire, prompting widespread concern and condemnation. A statement released by Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill on Thursday said members of the Northern Ireland Executive, a devolved administration separate from the British parliament, are "gravely concerned" about the violence and called for calm.

"Attacks on police officers, public services and communities are deplorable and they must stop," the statement read. "Destruction, violence and the threat of violence are completely unacceptable and unjustifiable, no matter what concerns may exist in communities."

It added: "While our political positions are very different on many issues, we are all united in our support for law and order and we collectively state our support for policing and the police officers who have been putting themselves in harm's way to protect others."

The move is an unusual step as the region and its politicians are deeply divided over whether or not Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK or reunify with its neighbor, the Republic of Ireland, to form a single country.

The two sides of the public which are involved in the clashes include the unionists or loyalists, who support the union between Britain and Northern Ireland, and nationalists, who support the reunification of Northern Ireland and the Republic.

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