More Riots In N. Ireland
Rioters threw firebombs and burned vehicles after the funeral of a slain Catholic human rights lawyer, and community leaders tried to stem a surge of violence they fear could threaten the peace process.
Thousands of mourners lined the route of Rosemary Nelson's funeral procession Thursday as it passed the spot where her silver BMW blew up Monday. Her daughter, Sarah, who was at a nearby primary school, heard the explosion.
A pro-British terrorist group called the Red Hand Defenders has claimed responsibility for planting the bomb under Mrs. Nelson's car, killing her in an apparent bid to wreck the peace process.
But many Catholics have accused the Royal Ulster Constabulary, Northern Ireland's predominantly Protestant police force, of colluding in the lawyer's death.
Mrs. Nelson had represented a number of Irish Republican Army suspects, and her slaying has raised tensions between Protestants and Catholics.
Protesters took to the streets within hours after she was laid to rest in Lurgan, 30 miles southwest of Belfast.
As dusk fell, violence broke out in nearby Portadown on the Garvaghy Road, where Mrs. Nelson had represented Catholic residents in their fight to block Protestant marchers from parading down the road in the predominantly Catholic neighborhood.
In a second night of clashes between Catholics and Protestants, masked youths hijacked a bus and several cars and set them on fire. Hundreds of protesters took to the street, throwing gasoline bombs and stones at police and trying to burn down the Protestant Orange Hall. Police responded with plastic bullets.
Police presence was heavy in an attempt to stop a repeat of Wednesday night's violence, in which 38 RUC officers and four civilians were injured.
Appealing for calm, Assistant Chief Constable Tom Craig said there was a fear that certain elements would use the focus of Mrs. Nelson's funeral as an excuse for further violence.
"The tensions here and what happened last night add to an already difficult week," he said. He asked community leaders to use their influence to ease the situation.
The bishop presiding over the funeral called on followers not to seek revenge, which he said would only serve those determined to destroy the vast majority of residents' hopes for a lasting peace.
Bishop Francis Gerard Brooks said retaliation also would be disrespectful to the memory of Mrs. Nelson, 40, "who strove by political and legal means to right a grievance."
Mrs. Nelson's husband, Paul, and three children Christopher, 13, Gavin, 11, and Sarah, 8 walked hand-in-hand behind her coffin to the church, passing the bouquets now marking the spot where her wrecked car came to rest.