Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Divis area of Belfast as the Credit Union is set alight after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Press Eye - Belfast - Northern Ireland - 7th August 2017 General view of the Credit Union office building in the Divis area of the Lower Falls, west Belfast this evening after Nationalist youths set fire to it during disturbances in Northern Ireland. Photo by Kelvin Boyes / Press Eye.

Trouble erupts in the Divis area of Belfast as the Credit Union is set alight after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Trouble erupts in the Markets and Divis areas of Belfast [Photos] Close

A derelict building has been set on fire in the Divis area of west Belfast during disturbances involving nationalist youths on Monday night.

The fire at the disused Credit Union office in the Lower Falls area came hours after police were attacked and cars were set alight by masked youths during disorder in the Markets area of south Belfast.

Paul Maskey, Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast, condemned the violence as "wanton destruction by a number of young people causing havoc in the Falls area."

He told the Belfast Telegraph the destruction was totally against the will of the people in the area.

"I would call on all on those involved in this to desist, I call on parents to know where their children are this evening and over the coming days."

It is totally unacceptable what we're seeing on the streets. Sinn Fein MP Paul Maskey

SDLP Councillor Tim Attwood said: "It is outrageous that the old credit union building has been torched in Divis.

"Local residents are appalled and frightened by these actions. The people of West Belfast will unite against such attacks.

"Those who have done this must be brought to justice and anyone with any information should pass it immediately to the PSNI."

Police urge for calm to remain after dealing with some localised disorder in Belfast tonight incl blaze at disused building in Divis 1/2 — Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 7, 2017

2/2 Thanks to all those in affected communities who helped settle tensions. People living there do not want this type of behaviour. — Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 7, 2017

Trouble first erupted in the city on Monday afternoon when a number of vehicles were set alight and others were damaged by stones and paint in the Stewart Street area, near Belfast Central train station.

A large police presence remained in the Markets area on Monday evening, as officers in riot gear dealt with "some localised disorder in the Friendly Street area".

Officers were targeted with petrol bombs, bricks, bottles and other missiles.

A car burns in the Markets area of Belfast as disturbances involving nationalist youths angry at removal of bonfire material continue. @PA pic.twitter.com/bNjcRE1Y9l — David Young (@DavidYoungPA) August 7, 2017

The trouble broke out in the area after republican bonfire material was removed on Monday morning.

Police say it was caused “by a small group of youths”.

Expand Close Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Superintendent Andrea McMullan said: “We are working with local representatives and members of the community to address the situation."

"Local residents of the Markets do not want this kind of activity on their doorsteps and we would urge those engaged in violence and criminal damage to stop – and go home.”

There has been some stone-throwing, damage to parked cars and a number of petrol bombs have also been thrown. Superintendent Andrea McMullan

A number of vandalised cars are understood to belong to commuters.

Expand Close Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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Sinn Fein Councillor for the area, Deirdre Hargey, said the damage was “unacceptable”.

"I condemn those responsible in the strongest possible way," she said.

"Both commuters and residents have been affected. Cars have been smashed with stones and several have been set alight.

"Over the weekend there were a series of incidents of vandalism in the Market area. This has seen the local Sure Start facility damaged resulting in the main gate into the facility being destroyed.

"There is no defending this behaviour at all and it needs to stop now."

It is nothing short of mindless vandalism. Councillor Deirdre Hargey

The councillor urged parents to "take responsibility for their children and know where they are at all times”.

Earlier SDLP MLA for South Belfast Claire Hanna said she was appalled at the "criminal damage to cars parked in the Market".

"Hope those responsible are brought to court", she tweeted.

Appalled at criminal damage to cars parked in the Market. Hope those responsible are brought to court. pic.twitter.com/iU6hU01xYj — Claire Hanna (@ClaireHanna) August 7, 2017

Local Alliance Councillor Emmet McDonough Brown condemned those behind the disorder as “thugs who have no place in the community".

He has appealed for calm in the area.

"Belfast is a thriving, cosmopolitan city and we cannot allow the thugs behind these recent attacks to detract from the positive image of Belfast that attracts investors and tourists alike,” he added.

Damage to cars & attacks on police near Stewart Street is disgraceful, wrong, and not representative of community. Totally counterproductive — Emmet McDonough-Brown (@EmmetMcDB) August 7, 2017

A council spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that bonfire material was removed from a car park during an operation in the Markets area today."

Expand Close Trouble erupts in the Markets area of Belfast after bonfire material was removed on August 7th 2017 (Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph) Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph / Facebook

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