Northern Ireland: Eruption of Violence as Britain Stays Silent

Northern Ireland has experienced weeks of riots and clashes, appealing for change while facing minimal reaction from Britain. An increase in conflict has led to the police calling it Northern Ireland’s worst violence for years.  The governments of Belfast, Dublin and London have all called for an end to the unrest. 

On March 29, violence erupted in a loyalist area of Londonderry, with some level of rioting taking place every night since. Petrol bombs, bricks and fireworks have all been thrown at police officers. Currently, over 74 officers have been injured since the end of March. 

The violence has threatened to dismantle the Good Friday Agreement, also known as the Belfast Agreement. The agreement was a 1998 peace deal that settled the conflict between Irish nationalists and British loyalists. The nationalists want Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland unification while the loyalists/unionists want Northern Ireland to remain in the United Kingdom despite Brexit.

Burnt-out cars in Newtownabbey. (Pacemaker)

Brexit, an organized crime crackdown and an IRA funeral are several factors that have been linked to the unrest.

Brexit and the Northern Ireland Protocol

In the Brexit trade deal, Northern Ireland was given a different economic status than Great Britain, a strategy to stop a hard border from being created between the region and the Republic of Ireland. But as a result, checks on goods arriving from Britain into Northern Ireland have been introduced. Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised there would be no new border in the Irish Sea. However, this turned out to be a lie and businesses were met with new paperwork, custom checks and stock shortages due to British companies suspending their exports. In the eyes of a loyalist, there has been an unwelcome distinction placed between Northern Ireland and Britain, threatening their role in the union and their separation from the rest of Ireland.

In March, Northern Irish unionist groups rescinded their support for the Good Friday Agreement due to the economic impact of the Brexit deal. The Prime Minister was informed that support would not be reinstated unless the Northern Ireland Protocol was amended. Guardian columnist Jonathan Freedland said, “I don’t believe Johnson and his fellow Brexiters actively sought the unraveling of peace in Northern Ireland. In a way, it is worse than that. They were literally careless of the heartbreak and grief that had scarred that place. They did not care.”

Why Did a Funeral Cause Controversy? 

Sinn Fein leaders attended the funeral of senior Irish Republican Army member, Bobby Storey, last summer in a direct violation of lockdown rules. The IRA fought against the British for a unified Ireland until the Good Friday Agreement, which marked an end to decades-long hostilities commonly known as “The Troubles”. Authorities have since decided not to prosecute those who attended the funeral, with many calling for the police chief to resign as a result. The avoidance of prosecution puts forth the message that one side is favoured more than the other, which has evidently stirred tensions. 

Organized Crime and Police Pushback

After a police crackdown on organised crime and drug gangs, some analysts have stated that the riots are a “pushback against the police.” 

Children as young as 12 have been seen taking part in the violence. Justice minister Naomi Long said she felt “ill” after watching adults “standing by cheering and goading and encouraging young people on as they wreaked havoc in their own community.” The involvement of young people has fuelled rumours that the conflict is being orchestrated behind the scenes by criminal gangs. 

Separating unionist and nationalist communities, a peace wall was built in Belfast during the Troubles as a deterrent against conflict. Tyres and bins were set on fire and a bus was petrol-bombed. A group of rioters used cars to smash their way through steel gates at the peace wall.

Jason Cairnduff | Reuters

Water cannons were deployed by police on the seventh night of violence in Belfast. After ignoring a dispersal warning, it became the only protective measure as bottles, fireworks and stones were thrown at police. 

Britain Remains Silent

Reports on Northern Ireland by British media have been scarce. Whilst some, such as the Daily Telegraph, failed to report the conflict, others, such as the Metro, have faced scrutiny due to insensitive headlines. Some have pointed out that the United States is receiving more coverage than Britain.

On April 7, Johnson posted his first tweet about the situation after news of a Belfast bus hijacking. This was a week after the conflict began. He said, “I am deeply concerned by the scenes of violence in Northern Ireland, especially attacks on PSNI who are protecting the public and businesses, attacks on a bus driver and the assault of a journalist. The way to resolve differences is through dialogue, not violence or criminality.” 

What Needs to Happen Next?

The Prime Minister must not ignore the loyalists and their desire for amendment; Unionists feel like they have been separated from the rest of the United Kingdom through Brexit protocols. Statistics show that loyalist areas of Belfast have the lowest level of educational attainment in Europe. The government should deploy a strategy of peace and strengthen ties within all members of the United Kingdom to resolve the acts of violence. Johnson’s call for dialogue should be acted upon. 

Police and civilian lives continue to be threatened by the conflict, likely to take place until the PM offers a publicly acknowledged statement rather than treating it as international unrest. If the government fails to address what is going on in Northern Ireland, there is a risk of the violence increasing. The lack of coverage in British media only amplifies the idea that Northern Ireland has been left behind. The United Kingdom as a union is threatened along with the Good Friday Agreement if London continues with its silence.