Sectarian riots in Northern Ireland

Catholics and Protestants clash in some of the worst violence in decades in Northern Ireland.

Belfast violence 311 R (photo credit: REUTERS)
Belfast violence 311 R
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Riots between Catholics and Protestants in Belfast Northern Ireland turned violent for a second night in a row Tuesday evening.
Police say a news photographer was shot in the leg and two other people suffered burns after a group of about 700 people threw fireworks, petrol bombs and other missiles at each other.
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Police fired stun grenades during the riots that some politicians are calling the worst in decades.
The clashes broke out in an enclave of Catholic houses in the predominantly Protestant east side of the city.
The violence comes at the start of Northern Ireland's marching season when Protestants hold annual parades that have previously triggered violent protests by Catholics.
The parades commemorate British victories and are supported by the Protestants who want to remain part of the United Kingdom. Catholics, who want Northern Ireland to become part of a united Ireland, regard the marches as provocative.