Belfast: Eight Arrests Ahead Of 'Twelfth Of July' Commemorations (PICTURES)

Eight Arrests In Belfast Ahead Of 'Twelfth Of July' Commemorations
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Eight people have been arrested for public order offences in north and west Belfast overnight. Trouble flared during the Eleventh Night, an annual marching season celebration involving the lighting of bonfires. Officers dealt with incidents in Lanark Way, Oldpark Road and the Springfield Road and those detained were a 17-year-old male youth and seven men aged between 22 and 34.

Separately, police are treating a sectarian attack on an Orange Hall in County Antrim as a hate crime. Republican and sectarian graffiti was painted on the hall at Coleraine Road, Ballycastle. Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) assistant chief constable Will Kerr said: "I am pleased that last night was one of the most peaceful in recent years and am encouraged by the responsible behaviour of the vast majority of people involved.

"I appreciate the efforts of all those involved in ensuring this was the case and I would continue to encourage everyone to work together to ensure that today passes off peacefully and that local communities are not disrupted with the violence witnessed in previous years."

Twelfth of July
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A bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A member of the public throws a bottle at a bonfire on Sandy Row, Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public watch the bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public take photographs at a bonfire on Sandy Row, Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public take photographs at a bonfire on Sandy Row, Belfast, on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public make their way to the bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public watch the bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A member of the public throws a bottle at a bonfire on Sandy Row, Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A member of the public throws a bottle at a bonfire on Sandy Row, Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public make their way to the bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Members of the public watch the bonfire on Lanark Way, West Belfast on the eve of the annual 'Twelfth of July' celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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11th night bonfires are seen across Belfast, where traditionally bonfires are lit across the province at midnight to mark the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Niall Carson/PA Wire)
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A loyalist supporter dressed as a riot police officer approaches police as they await an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A loyalist supporter dressed as a riot police officer approaches police as they await an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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An Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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An Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A member of the Orange Order stands alongside Police as they await an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader Billy Hutchinson (second right in black top) watches on as an Orange Order parade makes it's way down Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Loyalist supporters cheer on an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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An Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A loyalist supporter speaks to a Police officer as they await an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A loyalist supporter speaks to a Police officer as they await an Orange Order parade on Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A Loyalist supporter challenges police officers after an Orange Order parade made it's way down Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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A large police presence as an Orange Order parade makes it's way down Woodvale Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
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Loyalist supporters challenge police officers after an Orange Order parade made it's way down Crumlin Road adjacent to the nationalist Ardoyne neighbourhood as part of the annual Twelfth of July celebrations, marking the victory of King William III's victory over James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690. (credit:Brian Lawless/PA Wire)