Brawling that broke out on the fringes of Orange parades in east Belfast took place in a small area with the vast majority of the route presenting no problems, according to the loyalist activist Jamie Bryson.
Videos posted on social media show scenes of a packed street with fights taking place between mostly young men and teenagers.
Mr Bryson, on social media highly critical of the violence, told The Irish News that “it was fantastic to see thousands of young people turning out full of passion and energy”.
But he added: “Unfortunately - and it’s probably only a minority at isolated hot spots - this energy is misdirected and young people get carried away fuelled by drink and the general energy of the evening.
“If the energy, passion and enthusiasm of the young people can just be directed in a more positive direction, then they could be a real force for good within the community, and for unionism/loyalism.
“I’d much rather see these young people using the weapons of education, the law and advocacy via the media to fight for the Union, rather than fighting each other.”
Several parades to mark 108 years since the beginning of the Battle of the Somme took place in the east of the city on Monday evening.
Thirty bands took to the streets along Templemore Avenue, Albertbridge Road, Ravenhill Road, Castlereagh Road, Beersbridge Road and Newtownards Road
“The parade was excellent with all bands and lodges as ever well turned out and conducting themselves impeccably,” Mr Bryson said.
However, huge crowds gathered on Chamberlain Street off the Newtownards Road, with videos capturing the chaotic atmosphere and fights involved multiple young people, including some where a number are beating on individuals.
“When you put a large group of drunk, energised young men in particular together in an emotionally charged environment, this inevitably ends up in fighting or other unwanted behaviour,” the loyalist activist added.
“It’s easy to condemn the young people but that takes us nowhere,” he said, adding there are educational programmes and other initiatives aimed at directing the energy, passion and enthusiasm of young people in a more positive direction.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police are aware of a video circulating online of a recent altercation involving a number of youths in the Newtownards Road area of east Belfast. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances and anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or have footage that could assist with the investigation are asked to contact police on 101.”
