Secretary of State in Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers has condemned the violent protests in Northern Ireland last month, saying no conflict would be resolved by violence and unlawful rioting.

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore met with Villiers this afternoon in Farmleigh, to discuss the worrying developments in the North.

December and January saw widespread rioting across Belfast, following Belfast City Council's decision to restrict the the number of days on which the flag would be flown above city hall.

Large numbers of PSNI officers were injured in the rioting, which was widely condemned by the moderate Loyalist community.

Speaking today, Theresa Villiers said there was no room for violence in the developing friendship between Northern Ireland and the Republic:

 

 You can watch footage from the riots below: