Two police officers injured in suspected linked attacks

UTV reports that – “Two police officers were injured during overnight riots in Carrickfergus and Ballyclare on Tuesday”.  There was a further disturbance in the Carrickfergus area last night and the BBC adds that police are investigating possible loyalist paramilitary involvement in the incidents.

The PSNI have said one line of inquiry is an earlier police drugs operation at houses in the Castlemara estate in Carrickfergus sparked the disorder.

A small quantity of herbal cannabis and cannabis resin was recovered during the search.

A 37-year-old man allegedly caused a disturbance at the scene and was then arrested.

He was later charged with disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and resisting arrest and will appear in court next month.

Police came under attack by about 20 to 25 masked men during trouble in that estate hours after the operation.

Fireworks, bottles, bricks, paint and a number of petrol bombs were thrown at police vehicles which were in the area following reports of an assault.

One officer suffered minor injuries and a police vehicle was damaged.

In Ballyclare an officer suffered head injuries.

The officer was injured during a routine patrol in a police land rover in the Grange estate in the County Antrim town at about 2330 BST.

Petrol bombs were thrown by masked men and some vehicles were damaged.

The police officer was treated for head injuries but has been discharged.

There was also trouble in Eden, just outside Carrickfergus.

A number of youths blocked the road for a short time with burning wheelie bins.

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