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Another Old Firm Game, Another Riot
It was good to see Rangers duff Celtic on Saturday. It wasn't as good as it was to see Hearts beat Aberdeen and extend their lead at the top of the Scottish League (frankly anyone who tops the league above the Old Firm I'll cheer on, but I have a particular soft-spot for Hearts).
Of course the Celtic-supporting republican rabble of Belfast aren't known for their sportsmanship so whenever Celtic lose to Rangers, they throw the obligatory riot on the streets of Belfast. God help any protestants nearby. On this occasion, they decided Cluan Place would be the target, and it begins...
There were hours of rioting involving anything up to 400 participants (I was going to say 'people' but that's probably being too generous).
Residents said bricks and bottles were thrown from the republican Short Strand and there were reports of rounds being fired. Trevor "Maxy" Maxwell of Cluan Place was taken to hospital where he received three stitches to an injury to his head sustained thanks to a brick, but he said he didn't feel any ill-will towards those responsible.
Follow up:
"It's sad because I thought all this was behind us. We've got to be tolerant of each other. I'm not a bigot. I'll go over and talk to my neighbours any time. People are putting this trouble down to the result of the match, but we don't want to go back to the old days when violence ruled. Nobody wants this. We should all be able to live together."
Trevor "Maxy" Maxwell, Cluan Place
The police were apparently criticised for not doing enough. A bit of a joke given that had they breathed too closely to one of the rioters (or should that be 'protestors'?) we'd be hearing them take flack for 'heavy-handedness'.
Sinn Fein are a funny bunch though - check this out:
"The PSNI have once again demonstrated their unwillingness to deal with loyalist thugs intent upon intimidating the people of this area."
Deborah Devenny, Sinn Fein Councillor
That's not quite true Deborah. The PSNI are unwilling to deal wih any thugs regardless of their intent. But from a party who don't accept the PSNI in the first place, are you really the best person to be commenting on their response? You come from the same party who, whenever the police have to deal with rioters, deride their tactics as 'heavy-handed'. Now you want them to use more force? Jesus love, being a councillor must be taking its toll on you. You don't know whether you're coming or going.
And would those "loyalist thugs" be on the streets if it weren't for disgruntled Celtic fans unable to accept the revelation that "it's only a game"? You don't riot after you win. Even Rangers and Celtic fans aren't usually that bad, and this isn't the first time Celtic's Belfast Brigade have rioted after a displeasing result, is it? Then again I suppose we shouldn't expect any better when Celtic's "petulant little child" of a captain sets such a good example.
That was all on Saturday night. On Sunday night, north Belfast residents, not wanting to be outdone by their mates across the city, decided to have a riot of their own. It seems flagrant immorality and a love of violence is infectious.
I have only one thing left to say on the whole dirty matter of the Old Firm... Screw them both, Hearts FC SPL Champions 2005-06!!