[8] Loyalists and unionists argued that post-Brexit trading arrangements have created barriers between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, due to interference from the European Union.

[10] Tensions had also arisen earlier in the week after authorities decided not to prosecute 24 Sinn Féin politicians after they attended the funeral of former IRA head of intelligence Bobby Storey, which drew crowds of around 2,000 people,[11] who allegedly breached COVID-19 restrictions.

[8] The main unionist parties, including First Minister Arlene Foster, called for the resignation of Simon Byrne, the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), claiming he had lost the confidence of the community.

[45][46] On 8 April, rioters again gathered in West Belfast, throwing bricks, petrol bombs and projectiles at police on the nationalist Springfield Road area.

[52][53][54] However, police were again attacked with stones and bottles in the loyalist Tiger's Bay and nationalist New Lodge areas of North Belfast and a car was set on fire.

"[61][4][5]On 2 April 2021, Chief Superintendent Simon Walls, district commander for Belfast, said a "small local protest quickly developed into an attack on police".

[62] The following day he said it was a "real tragedy" that children as young as 13 or 14 were among the arrested and "sitting in a custody suite this morning" and facing investigation and possible conviction.

[63] Walls urged "people with influence try to ask anyone intent on violence to please step back" and "resolve tensions or arguments" peaceably.

[64] Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said on the afternoon of 5 April that police were ready for more violence, but urged community leaders to put a prevent a "third night of trouble in the Cloughfern and Newtownabbey/Carrickfergus area."

"[68] Among Sinn Féin politicians, MP Paul Maskey said that young people were "being used by sinister elements" and held the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) responsible for stirring up tensions;[12] MLA Gerry Kelly (who is a member of the policing board in addition to an MLA) accused unionist leadership "in particular the DUP" of using rhetoric that incited violence.

[69] MLA John O'Dowd condemned the unauthorised parade in Portadown, saying it was "led by masked men through the streets" and intended to intimidate the local community.

[69] David Ramsey, a DUP councillor on the Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the riot was "so depressing" to witness and "I have worked with young people on the Waterside for many years.

[4] On 8 April 2021, Education Minister Peter Weir confirmed that in areas of heightened tension, youth facilities closed during lockdown could reopen to help divert young people from becoming involved in trouble.

[14] Following the riots, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and U.S. President Joe Biden condemned the violence, expressed concern, and urged calm.

[70][71] As a result of the violence, the European Union is set to postpone legal action it had initially taken against the United Kingdom for unilaterally extending waivers on checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

[73] The Loyalist Communities Council issued a statement 9 April 2021 stating that none of their associated groups have been involved either directly or indirectly in the violence witnessed in recent days.