Pictures from a violent protest that broke out in the sixth night in Northern Ireland

Violence broke out last night in Northern Ireland, many bus and vehicle were hijacked and set ablaze.

According to reports gathered this is the sixth night of unrest and uproar in the devolved constituent part of the United Kingdom.

There have been some reports of stones also being flung at police officers and a press photographer being assaulted in Belfast and the UK prime minister Boris Johnson has frowned at the situation saying that he is deeply concerned about the incident.

The protest is coming just a few months of tension over the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol in the UK and EU’s Brexit deal, as well as the decision not to prosecute members of Sinn Fein over alleged Covid lockdown breaches at the funeral of republican Bobby Storey. The Translink Metrobus bus was pelted with petrol bombs on Wednesday evening at the junction of Lanark Way and Shankhill Road in west Belfast the peace line street that links the loyalist Shankhill Road with the nationalist Springfield Road.

From the scene of the protest, windows were smashed as crowds gathered, with the public warned to avoid the area by police. Writing on Twitter,

In his words Mr Johnson said: ‘I am deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland, especially attacks on PSNI who are protecting the public and businesses, attacks on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist.

‘The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality.’ First Minister Arlene Foster said there was ‘no justification for violence’, adding: ‘It is wrong and should stop.’

MP Gregory Campbell has urged loyalist protesters to ‘use their heads’ to not give rivals ‘an excuse’ to reject the demand. He told the BBC:

‘If people use their heads and they think ahead and say ‘we’re not going to give people the opportunity to say a chief constable can’t stand down because of the threat of violence. ‘That is something that would have a resonance across the community. Don’t give them that excuse.

‘They should think long and hard before taking part in any protests that could eventually result in violence and serious hurt being done to individuals as well as to the wider community they live in.’ Chief Constable Simon Byrne has said the ‘ongoing street disorder must stop’.

He tweeted: ‘I am open to dialogue with anyone who is willing to work with me to resolve the issues facing our community. ‘My message to those engaged in violence tonight is go home before someone is seriously injured, violence is not the answer.

Belfast Violent Protest In Pictures