Northern Ireland politicians 'gravely concerned' by street violence

Northern Irish politicians joined together to condemn the violence that has shaken the region over the past six days after seven police officers were injured in clashes relating to post-Brexit trade restrictions and a non-coronavirus-compliant funeral.
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 neighbour, 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.
The
NI Police Federation, the body that represents Northern Irish police officers,
told the BBC on Thursday seven officers were injured on Wednesday, the latest
night of rioting in Belfast.
On
Thursday, Eric Mamer, European Commission spokesperson, said: "We condemn
in the strongest possible terms the acts of violence that have occurred in
Northern Ireland over the past days. Nobody has anything to gain from this."
Police
Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Jonathan Roberts told the
BBC that 55 police officers have been injured during the six nights of violence.
Other
areas across Northern Ireland which have also faced violence in recent days
include Derry, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Ballymena.
Tensions
have been rising in Northern Ireland during the past few months as the country
grapples with new post-Brexit border rules between itself and the rest of
Britain.
Checks
have been implemented as a result of Britain leaving the European Union's
single market and to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the
Republic.
A
border between the Republic and Northern Ireland is sensitive as the latter is
divided between those who feel they are British and therefore do not like the
idea of checks on goods entering from Britain and those who feel they are Irish
and resent the border on the island.
The
tensions over identity led to a bloody conflict that was resolved in the late
1990s.
Anger
was sparked further last week after it was confirmed that members from one of
Northern Ireland's political parties, Sinn Fein, would face no consequences for
attending a non-coronavirus-compliant funeral for a former Irish Republican
Army (IRA) member in June.
The
funeral for Bobby Storey saw 2,000 people attend, including Northern Ireland's
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, who has since apologized for her
actions, and 23 other members of the Sinn Fein party.
The
decision was made on Tuesday, March 30 by the Public Prosecution Service that
no action would be taken and the violence began three days later on Good Friday.
The
actions of Northern Ireland's police force and how it handled the funeral are
being investigated by police watchdog, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of
Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).