Union flag row continues at Belfast City Hall

DETECTIVES  from ‘Operation Dulcet’ have arrested a teenager boy in north Belfast as part of investigations into the ongoing flag protests.

The 16-year-old was detained in the Peters Hill area of the city on Saturday afternoon on suspicion of taking part in an unlawful public procession, and for breach of bail.

The arrest was made by officers from the Operation Dulcet inquiry team, which is looking at offences linked to the ongoing flag protests in Northern Ireland.

The teenager is currently in custody assisting police with their inquiries.

On Saturday, two separate flag protests were held in Belfast.

A small crowd turned up at Belfast City Hall carrying flags and banners.

A second but smaller protest was held at 2pm police headquarters at Knock Road, in east Belfast.

Police advised motorists to expect delays in the area and take an alternative route away from the protest.

Demonstrations have been taking place since last December when the council voted to stop flying the Union flag all year long.

A march also took place to mark the 25th anniversary of the murder of two UDR soldiers in Belfast city centre by an IRA bomb.

James Cummings and Fred Starrett died when a 200lb remote-control booby-trap bomb detonated behind hoardings at Royal Avenue, as Castle Court was being built, on February 24, 1988.

Around 1,000 marchers left Templemore Avenue in east Belfast at around 10am on Saturday morning, passing St Matthews Chapel.

The parade has been organised by the Ulster Defenders of the Realm 710 Orange Order Lodge.

It is made up of former members of the UDR’s 7/10 ‘City of Belfast’ battalion.

It is being reported that some of the five bands could be heard playing the Sash.

The Parades Commission stipulated that no music should be played as bands passed places of worship and no paramilitary flags or paramilitary uniforms were to be worn.

Parade organisers had called for dignity for everyone involved in the event which culminated close to Castle Court.

Earlier parade organisers called for dignity for everyone involved.

Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers also appealed for calm ahead of the parade.

“I urge everyone to play their part in ensuring today’s parade passes peacefully,” she said.

“This is an occasion which should be commemorated in a respectful way, and the rule of law must be upheld.”

The families of Mr Cummings and Mr Starrett attended the commemorations where wreaths were laid.

Former Free Presbyterian minister Rev David McIlveen spoke to those who gathered at Castle Court.

The Orange lodges then paraded back to east Belfast by 12.30pm without incident.