Police have been injured in loyalist riots in Belfast city centre after a controversial vote on the Union flag.
The violence on Monday spread to parts of east Belfast where loyalists who had earlier tried to smash their way into the grounds of Belfast City Hall attacked a Catholic church.
A police spokeswoman said reinforcements had to be called in to deal with the hundreds of loyalists throwing missiles, including fireworks, bricks and bottles.
Five police officers, including two women, were injured during the disturbances.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) spokeswoman said: 'Five police officers have been injured, two of whom have been hospitalised. Two security staff of Belfast City Hall have also been injured.'
It is understood a press photographer was also taken to hospital for treatment to hand and facial injuries.
Trouble broke out minutes after Belfast city councillors voted to remove the flag from City Hall.
It is the first time the Union flag has been taken down from the Edwardian building since it opened in 1906.
Councillors agreed by 29 votes to 21 to bring City Hall into line with Stormont and other government buildings and fly the flag on 17 designated days.
Sinn Fein Policing Board member Gerry Kelly said the PSNI had serious questions to answer about their operation.
He said: 'I have to say, and I don't use these words unless I really mean them, it was a disgraceful police operation - or lack of a police operation.
'If that had been 1000 or more republicans out there ... they would not have left it that they were able to come into the back of City Hall.
'They indiscriminately attacked cars. We are very, very lucky that they didn't get into the building or we could have been dealing with a lot more injuries.'
Cars belonging to elected members and council staff were damaged during the disorder.
DUP councillor Christopher Stalford condemned those responsible for the violence.
He said: 'There can be absolutely no excuse for the violence which ensued after the result of the vote on the flying of the Union flag.
'The violence has distracted from the issue we should be focusing on - the parties in Belfast City Council who have voted as a block to strip the City Hall of its flag.'
