Belfast violence: Police officers injured in unrest over republican bonfire, with 'women and children used as human shields'

‘Officers trying to protect the community and lawful agencies are once again caught in the middle and in the firing line’

Police are attacked by youths at the site of a proposed bonfire in north Belfast, which contractors have been ordered to remove, 8 August 2019. (PA wire)

Three officers have been injured in violence in Belfast over an unauthorised republican bonfire.

Assistant police constable Alan Todd pulled his officers out of the New Lodge area on Thursday afternoon following a stand-off with republican youths over the anti-internment blaze.

He accused the ringleaders of using women and children as human shields, saying police did “not need to learn the lesson” of the risk to innocent bystanders.

The estate was barricaded using metal fencing after the officers withdrew, while teenagers held their hands up in triumph from on top of the blaze.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) had moved in earlier to help contractors who were tasked with removing the structure.

The three officers were injured during sporadic bouts of violence.

Mark Lindsay, chair of the Police Federation for Northern Ireland, condemned the scenes.

He said: “Officers trying to protect the community and lawful agencies are once again caught in the middle and in the firing line.

“They are being attacked with a range of missiles and iron fencing.

“In one assault by a mob, one officer is seen to be struck and knocked to the ground.

Youths at the site of a proposed bonfire in north Belfast, which contractors have been ordered to remove, 8 August 2019. (PA wire)

“This behaviour is contrary to the overwhelming wishes of the people of New Lodge who do not want this bonfire or their area hijacked by young thugs.”

The bonfire is being built on land owned by Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure.

It was due to be lit on Thursday night to mark the anniversary of the introduction of the controversial policy of internment without trial in 1971.

Earlier this week, politicians from both Sinn Fein and the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) said the people who live in the area do not want the bonfire.

Sinister graffiti appeared close to the bonfire on Tuesday, threatening that if the structure was removed then a nearby community centre would be targeted.

Operation Demetrius in 1971 saw hundreds arrested across the region on suspicion of being involved with paramilitary groups.

The vast majority arrested were nationalists, although a significant number of them had no connection with the IRA.

The anniversary has traditionally been marked by many from the nationalist and republican tradition with bonfires, although recent years have seen a move away from these and towards community-based diversionary activities instead.

The New Lodge is a mainly nationalist area dominated by decades-old public housing blocks.

The bonfire is made of wooden pallets and has an Irish tricolour flag on top.

Press Association contributed to this report.