Olympic torch relay disrupted after protest in Northern Ireland.

Olympic torch relay disrupted after protest in Northern Ireland.

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Olympic torch relay has been disrupted following a dissident republican protest in Northern Ireland.

One man was arrested after minor scuffles with police as the flame was about to pass the peace bridge linking the divided communities in Londonderry. Nobody was injured.

The torch was re-routed by about 100 yards.

SDLP MLA Mark Durkan said: "We support anyone's right to protest but that has been abused here today in Derry.

"People are just absolutely disgusted that there will be negative headlines for the city coming out of a great afternoon."

Mr Durkan said there had been an agreement not to disrupt the relay. The protest was not aimed at it, but shoving with stewards broke out and police intervened to push the crowd of around 100 - half of them children - back.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said several dissident republicans were involved, The Huffington Post reported.

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