4th day of riots in N. Ireland

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Image scaled down 13 July 2010 - Violence broke out across many parts of Northern Ireland as tensions simmered following Twelfth of July parades. In Belfast a bus was hijacked by masked men who claimed to have planted a bomb on board. Two hijackers boarded the bus at Glencolin Walk shortly before 4.30pm and said a device had been left on the upper deck. They ordered the driver to take the vehicle to Woodbourne PSNI station in the west of the city and made off towards the nationalist Lenadoon estate. A number of roads near the station had to be sealed off as Army bomb experts examined the vehicle, however the alert was declared an elaborate hoax and all roads were re-opened several hours later. In north Belfast two vehicles were hijacked on the Oldpark Road. One of the cars was found on Alliance Avenue shortly before 5.30pm and diversions had to be put in place between Berwick Road and Etna Drive while police examined it. Police were also attacked with paint bombs, missiles and at least five petrol bombs as a feeder parade passed the Ormeau Bridge area of south Belfast. Two men and a woman have been reported to the Public Prosecution Service in connection with disorderly behaviour and assault after trouble flared at Botanic rail halt. Meanwhile, in Lurgan a crowd of youths attempted to hijack and torch the cross border Enterprise train at a level crossing on Lake Street. All 55 passengers on board the train escaped unhurt after the driver was able to re-start the vehicle. A spokeswoman for the PSNI confirmed there were no reports of any injuries or damage. Also in Lurgan, a crowd of up to 50 youths hurled at least seven petrol bombs and a number of stones at police in the Kilwilkie estate, a white van was hijacked at Lake Street and a number of petrol bombs were thrown on the Antrim Road. Police were also called to deal with a hostile crowd at Killyleagh Road, Armagh, where at least one vehicle was burnt out by a large crowd. Yesterday’s trouble followed a night of rioting in north and west Belfast during which 27 police officers were wounded. In Ardoyne, youths staged a rooftop protest .. a stick, a young boy, aged around nine, pulled a hoodie over his head to cover his face and began shouting expletives at police. These officers were kitted out in full riot gear, with batons, shields and some armed with baton rounds, but that did not extinguish the boy’s bravado in front of them. A group of young males took up position on the roof of commercial premises and began throwing petrol bombs, bricks and bottles down at police, oblivious to the fact that they were also striking members of their own community. Police deemed their actions so serious that two officers fired at least two baton rounds in their direction. As the officers took aim crowds of bystanders warned the males to watch out. When their missiles missed police the same bystanders yelled “nearly”. And so it became a game to the young males on the roof who seemed to be relishing the attention from the ground. When the water cannon was deployed they ducked, only to jump up seconds later jeering and laughing. If the situation had not been so dangerous it could almost have been comical. Older residents said they were fed up with the violence, while younger ones loved the entertainment. “Mum, can I stay out for another half hour, “ one asked his mother. “Ok, just don’t get arrested,” she replied. N. Ireland cops face 'Disney theme park for rioting' Political, religious leaders plead for youths to stop violence before one is killed Video Children at the heart of violence in N. Ireland Police officers face rioters throwing Molotov cocktail and bricks in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Wednesday. BELFAST — Rioters attacked police in Northern Ireland for the fourth straight night with children as young as 9 taking part in the mayhem, according to reports. Molotov cocktails were hurled at officers in Belfast, Britain's Press Association Video Fiery riots engulf Belfast for 3rd night reported on Thursday.