More than 3,000 people have taken part in a loyalist parade in Belfast, which passed off without incident amid a strong police presence on Saturday afternoon. The march, which started in Belfast city centre, was organised by a group calling itself Loyal Peaceful Protestors.

Police estimate numbers went up to about 3,000 throughout the afternoon, with about 1,000 people initially gathering at City Hall.

The Parades Commission had placed a time restriction on the parade, determining that it had to leave City Hall by 12.30pm and pass the junction of Royal Avenue and North Street by 1pm.

Protestors, however, had applied to leave the area by 2pm.

свернуть