Hard dissident chiefs of a Republican group have praised parades and counter-demonstrations that have brought Glasgow to a standstill.

Riot police were drafted in to deal with violent scenes which erupted as Republican marches met with loyalist protests.

At the weekend, eleven people were arrested - including two schoolboys - as the streets turned violent.

And last week, the two groups clashed in Govan, causing a number to be arrested amid riot-like scenes.

READ MORE: Two schoolboys, 14 and 15, among 11 arrests from Irish Republican marches in Glasgow

Now, Republican chiefs have commended Saturday's parade, reportedly from their cells, and say they 'stand firmly' with marchers.

In a Facebook post, Friends of the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association said: "The Irish Republican Prisoners in Portlaoise, Maghaberry and Mountjoy stand firmly with those who were attacked while attending an anti-internment parade in Glasgow on Saturday

"We commend those who stood undeterred in the face of such bigotry, hatred and provocation, by those hell-bent on disrupting the parade from the outset.

"While showing great resilience in the face of such hostility, it is as important as ever that Republicans do not give in to such intimidation.

"As Irish Republican Prisoners incarcerated for our beliefs, we can only admire those who take to the streets internationally and continue to highlight the occupation of our country and the plight of Republican Prisoners."

READ MORE: Former Lord Provost of Glasgow Michael Kelly calls for ban on city centre marches

It comes after former Lord Provost Michael Kelly called for a city-wide ban on all marches after the weekend's violent scenes.

Speaking to John Beattie on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Kelly said: "I think their time has passed and I would refer to all marches as far as that’s concerned.

"I think in today’s mass communication with social media, the ability to petition parliament and get a discussion, marches are now redundant."

And the city is bracing itself for more parades after the council approved 14 marches in the next three weeks.

READ MORE: Republican group promise 'fightback' against loyalists after Govan riots

It emerged yesterday that over 3,000 people will march through Glasgow in the next three weeks with different groups, which is expected to cause mass disruption.