Violence Erupts in Belfast

Extended description: Kevin Healy reports on a night of violence that saw gunfire on Hooker Street where Protestants joined with the RUC in a fierce attack. Houses, a public house and a bookmakers shop were set on fire. The shooting intensified as people ran for cover. As the trouble increased, men threw stones at the police from the roof of Divis Street flats, where the body of a man was found this morning. The shooting spread to the Falls area and Shankill and one of the worst areas affected was Percy Street, where there was long machine gun bursts between civilians and police. There were reports that the B-Specials were providing guns to Protestants in the Shankill and that police were driving the streets randomly shooting at anyone. The rioters turned to sniping throughout the night and the 'staccato burst of machine gun fire' could be heard until this morning. Kevin Healy describes how he was frightened by the scenes and how it reminded an American colleague of Harlem although it seemed easier to get guns here. Healy describes it as "a night of shame for Belfast". Information: A RTÉ News report following a night of violence in Belfast broadcast on 15 August 1969. Kevin Healy reports on a night of violence that saw gunfire on Hooker Street where Protestants joined with the RUC in a fierce attack. Original language summary: -