Protests pass off without incident after two nights of unrest

After two nights of unrest, pockets of protests held in some areas of Northern Ireland have passed off without incident following a "robust" police response.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said extra officers, including mutual aid officers from other UK forces, had been deployed across Northern Ireland amid concerns about further violence.

The disorder was sparked after footage of a knife attack in north Belfast on Monday night was shared widely on social media.

On Thursday, a senior police officer said there was no evidence loyalist paramilitaries were co-ordinating the unrest. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson instead pointed to significant activity on social media.

"At this stage we have no evidence to say that the violence is being coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries," he said.

"What we have seen is significant coordination from online social media activity, some from people within Northern Ireland - and some from outside of Northern Ireland, outside the island of Ireland - generating that activity.

"That momentum, that drive, that toxicity is what's bringing people out onto the streets. It needs to stop."

Violence broke out across Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, with homes, businesses and vehicles targeted.

Further disorder followed on Wednesday, particularly in Glengormley and Portadown, where police came under attack and deployed water cannon.

Police said 12 officers were injured and 16 people were arrested during Wednesday night's unrest.

Ahead of Thursday evening, the PSNI increased its presence across Northern Ireland, bringing in additional officers from forces elsewhere in the UK.

Henderson warned that water cannon, public order dogs and officers in "significant numbers" would be deployed if required, adding: "We will be robust in bringing order to our streets."

Thursday night proved calmer.

About 170 people gathered at a protest in Whiteabbey, in County Antrim, while around 100 people blocked the Newtownards Road in east Belfast.

Both protests dispersed without incident.

In a post on social media, the First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there has been "dangerous and disgraceful racist attacks" across Northern Ireland over the last few days.

"But what has not been recognised enough is the work being done every day by people at the heart of our communities to support one another," she said.

She added: "That spirit of solidarity represents the very best of us."