TENSIONS BOIL OVER AT PROTEST

It’s believed an irate driver refused to stop and drove at protestors in Monkstown. The car narrowly missed one man who was said to be unhurt but shaken after the incident.

The incident sparked minor trouble in the area. Bins were dragged into the street and set alight while police put in place diversions during what witnesses described as a tense standoff.

However, shortly after the disruption the crowds dispersed and the roads reopened to traffic.

Over 500 people were said to have again taken to the streets of Newtownabbey on Monday night to demonstrate against a decision by Belfast City Council to restrict the number of days the Union flag flies on City Hall.

Ulster Unionist councillor John Scott appealed for calm, he said: “If people want to protest they should do so peacefully.

“I would call for people to step back and we can all sit down and work together to see where we can go from here.

“And it is sad to see the loyalist people doing the work of others by destroying their own communities while others sit back and watch.”