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

After two nights of unrest, pockets of protests held across Northern Ireland have passed off without major 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."

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.

Thursday night proved calmer.

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

Both protests dispersed without incident.

In a post on social media, the First Minister Michelle O'Neill said there has been "dangerous and disgraceful racist attacks" across Northern Ireland over the last few days.

"But what has not been recognised enough is the work being done every day by people at the heart of our communities to support one another," she said.

She added: "That spirit of solidarity represents the very best of us."