Belfast riots trigger renewed scrutiny over loyalist paramilitary influence

The violent disturbances in Northern Ireland occurred in a nationalist area yet played out against a backdrop of union jack flags As the racially motivated violence unfolded in Northern Ireland this week, a striking dissonanace could be seenbehind the mobs and flames and smoke. The knife attack that triggered the disturbances occurred in a nationalist area yet the mayhem played out against a backdrop of union jack flags and loyalist murals. Continue reading...

By Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent