RIVAL factions have clashed in a stand-off involving police as trouble flared after an Irish unity march and counter protest in Glasgow.
Police were called to Govan Road on Friday night as bins were set on fire and missiles were thrown as fights broke out between Irish republicans and loyalists.
It is understood officers have been trying to break up the fight.
READ MORE: Protest held outside Catholic church in Glasgow where priest was spat on
Govan Road was shut off by police vans and riot police were sent to the scene. Witnesses reported that smoke bombs were being used.
Around 200 were estimated to have turned up to the Irish unity march organised by the James Connolly Republican Flute band at Elder Park in Govan at 630pm.
But zn estimated 400 loyalists descended on the scene.
Officers swooped to deal with what some described as "a riot" between Elder Park in Govan, down to Govan Road outside St Anthony's Church.
The flute band were attempting to move from the park when they were confronted by loyalist protesters.
Sunny Govan pic.twitter.com/yZ3gSaDu3p
— UFB (@CircusBells) August 30, 2019
Riot police set up road blocks in a bid to contain the violence while police helicopters were drafted in.
Chants of "No IRA on our streets" could be heard.
Police Scotland confirmed it had been "dealing with a large-scale disturbance in the Govan area".
A statement said that a planned parade in the area "was met by a disruptive counter-demonstration by several hundred people in the Elder Park area, with significant disorder in and around the Govan Road area."
Chief Supt Mark Hargreaves said: "Police Scotland has a duty to facilitate processions and any peaceful protest, but this kind of behaviour by persons demonstrating against the parade is utterly unacceptable.
Barricades going up on Govan Road #Govan pic.twitter.com/Q6hlJfF1jr
— The Moody Hoodie (@TheMoodyHoodie) August 30, 2019
"It is extremely disappointing to see people acting in this fashion, causing fear and alarm to members of the public as well as putting many people at risk."
READ MORE: Protest held outside Catholic church in Glasgow where priest was spat on
He added: "Specialist public order officers in full protective equipment, the mounted section, air support and dog units have been deployed and we are using proportionate tactics to de-escalate the situation as quickly and safely as possible.
"Police Scotland will undertake a thorough and robust inquiry and take any necessary action against those found to have been causing disruption."
There are no reports yet of any arrests.
The Govan Rd aftermath. #Govan pic.twitter.com/YkcFcng0Q1
— The Moody Hoodie (@TheMoodyHoodie) August 30, 2019
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "Due to an ongoing police incident, Govan Road is blocked between Golspie Street and Elder Street.
"Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel