Tourists warned over visiting NI

The Australian government has issued advice to people travelling to Northern Ireland following recent trouble.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is due to an upsurge in dissident republican attacks and parade related riots.

Australian citizens have been told they could inadvertently get caught up in violence.

There has been a rise in tensions and violence across Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

More than 40 people were charged with rioting in Belfast over the Twelfth of July period.


Two bombs were defused in County Down on 4 and 8 of August and a car bomb exploded outside a police station in Londonderry on the 3 August.

Three children, aged between two and 12, suffered minor injuries when a bomb exploded in a bin in Lurgan, County Armagh, on 14 August.

The Australian department's website warned citizens of bomb attacks aimed at police and military targets.

On the government's travel advice page it said:"Australians could inadvertently be caught up in violence directed at others."

The department also advised people to "avoid all protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent".

In May 2010 the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) reported the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland remained highly active and dangerous.