Two charged over east Belfast trouble

There was a protest in Carrickfergus
Police moved protesters in Carrickfergus off the road

Two men have been charged with disorderly behaviour following trouble in the Albertbridge Road area of east Belfast on Saturday night.

The pair, aged 20 and 18, are to appear in court on Monday. A 15-year-old boy also arrested was released.

Earlier several hundred loyalists attended a union flag protest at Belfast City Hall.

There was a large police presence in the city centre where roads were blocked for about an hour.

Protesters later went to east Belfast.

Marshals monitored the parade as it passed the nationalist Short Strand area. There was no trouble.

Loyalist street demonstrations have been taking place since Belfast City Council voted to limit the number of days the union flag is flown at Belfast City Hall.

Many street demonstrations have passed without incident, but some have resulted in serious rioting.

The Union flag is being flown over city hall on Sunday to mark the birthday of the Countess of Wessex.

Stewards from both sides monitored the protest as it passed Short Strand

It is one of 18 designated days to which city councillors decided to restrict the raising of the flag.

A protest also took place in Carrickfergus, County Antrim on Saturday.

The Shore Road was blocked by about 200 flag protesters for nearly half an hour. They were moved onto the pavement by police, who were there in force, and traffic was allowed to pass.

Police handed out leaflets informing protesters they were breaking the law by blocking the road and they were also told not to conceal their identity.