Related stories Call for calm ahead of British army veterans rally and republican counter parade

A military veterans' rally and counter-demonstration by republicans have passed off peacefully in Belfast.

There was a sizeable security presence outside City Hall as the opposing events played out only yards apart amid a tense atmosphere.

At times, participants traded insults across a police line but the opposing demonstrations otherwise concluded without incident.

The pro-military rally was organised by Justice For Northern Ireland Veterans (JFNIV) to highlight what it alleges is a legal witch-hunt against former security members who served during the Troubles.

The campaign group, which formed in response to a number of recent prosecutions of former soldiers, held similar rallies in London and Glasgow.

Today's rally comes days after a coroner ruled that that the British Army killing of 15-year-old Derry boy Manus Deery in May 1972 was unjustified.

The teenager was standing outside a chip shop in the Bogside with friends when he was hit in the head by fragments from a ricochet bullet.

In Belfast, pro-dissident republican group Saoradh gathered for its own counter-rally.

The group, whose name means "liberation" was formed in 2016 with the backing of dissident republican prisoners across Ireland.

Around 200 participants stood on one side of the police line flying tricolours and holding placards accusing soldiers of committing murder during the Troubles.

On the other side, outside City Hall, a crowd of around 500 gathered to hear speakers call for an end to what they alleged was unfair treatment of ex-security force members. A number of Union flags were waved in the air.

Stormont Assembly member Doug Beattie, who won a Military Cross for bravery while serving in the British Army, addressed the rally.

"We all deserve justice," the Ulster Unionist said.

"What we are seeing now is a Frankenstein version of justice which is all focused one way and no other way.

"We don't want preferential treatment. If you break the law you should face the law be you a soldier, policeman, member of the public or politician. But what we are seeing here is an imbalance."

A uniformed piper played at the event and the crowd sang God Save the Queen.

The Parades Commission ruled that Saoradh could not enter the area directly in front of City Hall.

The group instead held its protest on the other side of the police line around 30 yards from the veterans' event.

Participants included high profile republicans Colin Duffy and Dee Fennell.

Saoradh chairman David Jordan told the crowd: "Today's co-called veterans' rally, or imperialist murderers' rally, is the extension of the imperialist agenda to carefully foster divisions in this country."

Davy Jordan at republican march in Belfast pic.twitter.com/dpBuLNEULn — Connla Young (@ConnlaYoung) April 14, 2017

After a number of speeches, many of the republicans assembled directly in front of police land rovers and sang anti-British songs.

Earlier, a group of relatives whose loved ones were killed by British soldiers on the streets of Ballymurphy in west Belfast in 1971 held a separate silent protest.

John Teggart, whose father was shot dead in the incident, said it was a difficult day for him.

"We have veterans across the road from us today and among that crowd could be suspects involved in the murder of our loved ones," he claimed.

"They are looking for immunity, an amnesty from prosecution, and there are families here without any justice or legal address. My father was shot 14 times by the paratroopers. I'm gutted this (veterans' rally) has been allowed to go ahead."

On the other side of the road, Jim McCaw, who served in the Royal Artillery, Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment said: "We feel the veterans are being left behind. We are not looking for anything special. We are looking for equality.

"There are people here who have been through the courts twice, found not guilty and now being put through the courts again. It is totally unacceptable, especially when people are getting on-the-run letters and royal pardons."

DUP MP Gavin Robinson said it was important to turn out to "recognise the ultimate sacrifice of those who served this country so well and recognise the calls for justice."

During the event, police warned Saoradh that singing songs was a breach of the Parades Commission determination.

As the event broke up a commander told them that to parade back through the city would also represent a breach. Participants walked through a section of the city centre before dispersing peacefully.

Republicans leave Belfast city centre pic.twitter.com/JnbOEwYRDf — Connla Young (@ConnlaYoung) April 14, 2017

As the veterans' event was a static rally, and not a parade, it was not subject to any ruling by the commission.

The JFNIV event in London took place at Horse Guards Parade, while George Square was the focus of the Glasgow demonstration.

Last year, two former soldiers were told they will be prosecuted for murder over the 1972 death of official IRA commander Joe McCann. Another prominent case involves retired soldier Dennis Hutchings.

The 75-year-old, from Torpoint in Cornwall, is to face trial accused of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to a fatal shooting in 1974.

Today's rally comes days after a coroner ruled that that the British Army killing of 15-year-old Derry boy Manus Deery in May 1972 was unjustified.

The teenager was standing outside a chip shop in the Bogside with friends when he was hit in the head by fragments from a ricochet bullet.