Gangs rampage again on Belfast streets

Press, 10 April 1987, Page 10

Gangs rampage again on Belfast streets

NZPA-Reuter Belfast Gangs of youths went on the rampage in Belfast for the third night in succession yesterday, burning cars and hurling petrol bombs at British security forces, police said.

The rioting erupted hours after the funeral of a murdered leader of the Irish Republican Army, which is fighting to end British rule in Northern Ireland.

A police spokesman said almost two dozen vehicles were seized in a well co-ordinated wave of

hijackings and used to set up barricades in republic areas of west Belfast.

Many of the stolen vehicles, including two buses, were set on fire. Riot police, sent in to recover the vehicles and clear the barricades, came under attack from angry mobs.

The funeral of the I.R.A. leader, Larry Marley, shot by Protestant extremists a week ago, was twice postponed this week as mourners clashed with police determined not to allow an I.R.A. paramilitary display.

Tension has been high in Northern Ireland this week, culminating on Tuesday in the worst rioting the province has seen this year.

Two British soldiers and a civilian were injured during Tuesday’s disturbances.

Another potentially explosive situation was defused yesterday in Londonderry with the surrender of 28 Protestant extremist prisoners who failed to win segregation, in a jail from Irish nationalist inmates.