Northern Ireland protests pass off without incident after two nights of unrest

After two nights of unrest, pockets of protests held in some areas of Northern Ireland have passed off without incident following a "robust" police response.

On Thursday, a senior police officer said there was no evidence loyalist paramilitaries were co-ordinating the unrest. Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson instead pointed to significant activity on social media.

"At this stage we have no evidence to say that the violence is being coordinated by loyalist paramilitaries," he said.

"What we have seen is significant coordination from online social media activity, some from people within Northern Ireland - and some from outside of Northern Ireland, outside the island of Ireland - generating that activity.

"That momentum, that drive, that toxicity is what's bringing people out onto the streets. It needs to stop."

Violence broke out across Northern Ireland on Tuesday night, with homes, businesses and vehicles targeted.

Police said 12 officers were injured and 16 people were arrested during Wednesday night's unrest.

Ahead of Thursday evening, the PSNI increased its presence across Northern Ireland, bringing in additional officers from forces elsewhere in the UK.

Henderson warned that water cannon, public order dogs and officers in "significant numbers" would be deployed if required, adding: "We will be robust in bringing order to our streets."

About 170 people gathered at a protest in Whiteabbey, while around 100 people blocked the Newtownards Road in east Belfast.

Both protests dispersed without issue.