Federation condemns ‘violent fascist law-breakers’ who assault officers

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland says twelve officers injured during disturbances last night is down to ‘violent fascist law-breakers’ who want to wreck Northern Ireland.

PFNI Chair Liam Kelly said: “It is intolerable that our colleagues are bearing the brunt of street disorder. They are doing their level best to curtail, frustrate and arrest rioters.

“My thoughts are with the twelve officers who sustained injuries and who were confronted by thugs throwing bricks, masonry and petrol-bombs and used lasers directed at our frontline.

“Sixteen arrests have been made so far and police efforts will continue at pace to bring scores of others before the courts. My hope is they will be handed maximum sentences.

“General disorder and the forced re-location of innocent families should leave us shamed and angry. Violent racist and fascist lawbreakers offer nothing but hopelessness and mindless thuggery.

“We’ve getting 200 additional officers under Mutual Aid and they will provide some much-needed relief for my colleagues. However, we are 700 officers below where we should be and some 1,200 short of the 7,500 that was promised.

“Lives are being turned upside down by masked cowards and it’s time this violence stopped. They are bullies who hide behind anonymous social media threats to businesses and people who come here to work in our Health Service and industries.”