AN SDLP councillor in Omagh, Co Tyrone, has blamed drunken, thuggish louts "hell bent on mayhem and destruction" for rioting in the town on Saturday morning.
Cllr Paddy McGowan said "there was intense anger in Omagh after a 200 strong gang of youths clashed with the RUC for three hours. Earlier on Friday, an Orange parade and nationalist march in the town passed off peacefully.
The disturbances, resulting in injuries and property damage, began around 2 a.m. in John Street. An RUC spokesman said: "A mob, elements which were the worse for wear from drink, emerged from a pub and engaged in attacks on police and sectarian attacks on property." Eleven baton rounds were fired and a police officer suffered head injuries which are not believed to be serious, according to the RUC. A small number of civilians were also injured, although it is not known how many.
Twenty seven windows in the nearly Methodist Church were broken and its choir room was also damaged. A valuable painting in the room was destroyed. Two windows were broken at the Church of Ireland caretaker's home and an attempt was made to set fire to curtains. Mr McGowan, who visited the caretaker yesterday morning, said the man's wife and three young children were "terrified" after their ordeal.
Six Catholic workers have lose their jobs after rioters destroyed Protestant owned launderette in John Street. A solicitor's office and the Tyrone Constitution news paper office were also damaged.