Police in Northern Ireland have clashed for the third day running, with protesters opposed to a recent decision to restrict the flying of the British Union Jack flag at Belfast City Hall.
They used water cannon and fired three plastic bullets in an attempt to control a crowd of 100 loyalist demonstrators, who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.
During the day a protest took place over Belfast council's decision to stop flying the union flag every day.
The BBC reports that up to 1000 loyalists demonstrated outside Belfast City Hall over the decision to fly the union flag only on designated occasions.
Police said they later dealt with public disorder in a number of locations and rioters threw bricks, bottles, fireworks and smoke canisters.
One officer has been injured but did not require hospital treatment and a number of arrests have been made.
Earlier, a 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after shots were reportedly fired at police.
The unrest followed a largely peaceful demonstration by more than 1000 people against Belfast city council's decision on 3 December to limit the days it flies the British flag each year, which has sparked weeks of street violence.
