Politicians in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere in the UK, have expressed shock at the original attack which took place, and have also strongly criticised the disorder which followed.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill described it as “outright thuggery” and criticised attacks on “innocent people who are simply trying to live, work and raise their families here”.
Echoing that message, Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said taking frustrations “out on those who had no part in it is utterly wrong”.
She called for people to “act in an entirely peaceful way,” adding that “violence does not advance any cause, it damages it”.
Speaking in the Commons on Wednesday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the the attack in Belfast was “horrific” but called the disorder “totally unjustified”.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson appealed for “voices of influence within local communities to encourage peaceful protest and discourage any involvement in violence or disorder”.
