MLA condemns ‘organised attack by thugs' before Derry football match
Families were left terrified after trouble broke out in Londonderry before a football match last night, an MLA has said.
Violent clashes unfolded before the Derry City v Bohemians League of Ireland game at the Ryan McBride Stadium.
Trouble broke out in the Bogside area of Derry before kick-off.
SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, said some young people had been injured.
He branded it an organised attack by thugs and warned someone could be killed if the trouble is not stamped out.
Videos circulating online show people, some of them with their faces masked, clashing outside the stadium. Some appear to be armed with missiles and sticks.
Mr Durkan condemned the trouble.
He said: 'It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack.
'Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons.
'Local young people were injured - I hope they recover swiftly. This madness must stop before someone is killed.
'It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow.
'I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances.'
The match was also briefly suspended after a flare was thrown from outside the ground onto the pitch.
Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy said 'so-called supporters from Dublin' attacked local people.
'The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence,' he said.
'In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents.
"That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned.
"It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.'
The PSNI, Derry City and Bohemians have been contacted for comment.
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