A Belfast-based priest was assaulted by a rioter during a violent confrontation over an Orange Order parade at the weekend. Holy Cross parish priest, Fr Gary Donegan, condemned those responsible for the disorder which flared during the Orangemen's Tour of the North parade.
The Fermanagh-born priest was assaulted by a young rioter as he tried to restore peace to the streets around Ardoyne.
Disappointing
Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week, Fr Donegan said it was ''very disappointing that this happened''.
''Even at the height of 'the Troubles' no-one would say boo to a priest and I think this is indicative of the change in values now. I had a bit of trouble with a group of Loyalists once, during the Ardoyne blockade, but even then a Loyalist group rang me up to ask if I was ok,'' he said.
''The march went by peacefully, despite a lot of tension, media speculation and hype generated by young people on the internet.
''One bandsman was hit by a golfball, but in terms of Ardoyne that was mild,'' the Passionist priest said.
However, later on when leaving a local house Fr Donegan came across a scene of what is known locally as 'recreational rioting'.
Throwing stones
''Young people were throwing stones at the police and I interjected to tell them to get away, that they don't live here and the local residents didn't want this.
''The leader of the group used what I will call industrial language and started to jostle me. But when the PSNI and stewards approached he ran away.''
''The only good thing to come out of this is that it diminished the tension for the rest of the night and there was no further trouble,'' Fr Donegan said.
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