485 people killed and 2,217 civilians wounded in Northern Ireland as police clash with 'illegal' Easter Rising marchers

A REPUBLICAN parade in Northern Ireland turned violent on Easter Saturday as ugly scenes between marchers and police rekindled deep-seated sectarian divides.

Wearing paramilitary uniforms, berets and balaclavas, Sinn Fein Republicans marched through the streets of Lurgan, in Northern Ireland, to mark the anniversary of the Easter Rising insurrection.

Dramatic pictures taken during the “colour party” show marchers clashing with PSIN officers at the Edward Costello Memorial Garden, where the event was held.

Chaotic scenes marred the event on the Kilwilkee estate as a woman was injured and police reportedly made several arrests

In one distressing picture, a woman apparently caught up in the disturbance lays splayed out on the floor surrounded by concerned bystanders.

Another picture shows the woman, who appears to be injured, wrapped in a blanket while being cradled by someone.

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EASTER RISING CLASHES: Republicans scuffle with police during a march in Northern Ireland

The Easter Rising, otherwise known as the Easter Rebellion, was an armed insurrection aimed at ending British rule in Ireland in 1916.

A total of 485 people were killed and 2,217 civilians wounded during the six-day uprising between April 25-29.

Carla Lockhart, an MLP for the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has condemned the marchers for “glorifying terror”, claiming the parade was “illegal”.

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FLOORED: A woman caught up in the trouble lies on the floor amid the crowds

“I very much welcome the police operation to stop this illegal parade.”

“I very much welcome the police operation to stop this illegal parade and glorification of terrorists.

"I hear plenty of comments from republicans on legal Orange parades but they are strangely silent when republicans decide to march whenever they want glorifying terror in an illegal march,” she said.

“It is good to see a robust operation to prevent this illegality rather than a follow up arrest operation some weeks later.

“I congratulate the PSNI commanders who authorised this operation and the officers on the ground who implemented this plan effectively.”

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ANNIVERSARY: Republicans marched to mark the Easter Rising insurrection

Sectarian divides between republicans and unionists have been flared by the question of the Irish border brought about by Brexit.

Complex negotiations about the future of Northern Ireland have held back the progression of Brexit talks between Mrs May’s government and the EU.

A hard border between Northern Ireland and Ireland now looks to be a realistic outcome if a compromise cannot be struck.

Michel Barnier, head of the EU’s negotiating team, has argued that a hard border can be avoided if Northern Ireland remains in the customs union.

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UGLY SCENES: Police officers appear to restrain a man on the ground during the event

But the DUP, whose MPs are propping up Mrs May’s government, want to leave the customs union in step with the rest of the UK.

Claire Hanna, an SDLP politician from Northern Ireland, said the problem of the border is the biggest “conundrum” Mrs May faces.

Hanna, MLA for Belfast South, said a return to a hard border would be a “disaster” for the peace process.

don’t want to overplay the impact on the peace process, but there are, unfortunately, men of violence lurking in the shadows here,” she said.

“If there is any degree of fortification at the border, there would be people who would be tempted to target that.”