Gunfire was exchanged between the security forces and loyalist gunmen in north Belfast last night as sporadic violence erupted across the city in the wake of the Drumcree stand-off. Police in Carlisle Circus came under fire from the Shankill Road area, according to the RUC.
"Fire was returned. There are no reports of injuries," an RUC spokesman said.
Earlier a lorry was driven at police lines from the lower Shankill area as officers attempted to separate rioters engaged in sectarian clashes.
At Drumcree Hill, supporters of Portadown Orange Lodge dispersed early this morning following a tense confrontation with security force members. At 11.00 last night police officers used water cannon to deter stone-throwing youths who had fired crackers and thunderflashes at police officers lining the bridge at the bottom of Drumcree Hill. Protesters had earlier attempted to set police vehicles alight.
Shortly after 11.30p.m. the crowd began to retreat up the hill, sensing that police were about to take action. Minutes later police officers and troops followed the crowd up the hill in a pincer movement similar to that used on Monday night, while simultaneously coming across the fields in a line.
At approximately 11.40p.m. the police began to pull back while their vehicles remained in place. Members of the crowd began to chant: `Cheerio, Cheerio, Cheerio'.
Shortly after midnight the Democratic Unionist Party MLA, Mr Paul Berry, addressed the crowd of about 300. The protestors dispersed following a rendition of God Save the Queen.
Other parts of Portadown were reported quiet early this morning, following some incidents at the Corcrain estate when about 100 youths gathered with the intention of parading to Drumcree. They were prevented from doing so by a line of police officers and army vehicles. The situation was tense for a moment before the youths dispersed into the estate.
In Portadown itself some roadblocks were set up by groups of youths but these were dismantled by police, who also dispersed protesting youths.
Roads were blocked in Newtownabbey and Carrickfergus in Co Antrim, and in Dungannon, Co Tyrone.
Meanwhile there is considerable anxiety in Portadown over a planned Orange march this evening from Derrycarne Orange Hall, approximately a mile and a half from Drumcree Church. The march, which has been granted permission by the Parades Commission, will approach Drumcree Church from the Garvaghy Road side of the bridge at the bottom of Drumcree Hill.
Residents on Garvaghy Road have expressed concern over the policing of the parade.