Eight children arrested in night of ‘blatant sectarian violence' in Derry

Irish Independent

4 hours ago

Residents living close to where disorder broke out in Derry have expressed concerns that a young person could be 'seriously injured or killed' if the violence does not stop.
A second night of riots took place at Nailors Row beside the city's historic walls, resulting in 14 officers being injured as petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry, planks of wood and bricks were hurled at police lines.
Police fired a single plastic baton round at rioters.
It resulted in 11 people being arrested including eight boys aged between 14 and 17 and three men aged, 29, 30 and 47.
Each of the teenagers and two of the males, aged 29 and 30, were arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour. The 47-year-old was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging or assisting riot.
Violence persisted from around 7.30pm to 1am on Tuesday night during which one rubber bullet was fired by the PSNI.
The road where it occurred runs adjacent to Alexander House, sheltered accommodation for older people, and close to the Bishop Street and Fountain interface.
Chief Constable Jon Boutcher condemned the violence 'in the strongest terms possible'.
"This was blatant sectarian violence, plain and simple, and there is absolutely no justification for it in our society. These behaviours are criminal plain and simple, we will not accept them and will pursue those responsible with the full force of the law,' he said.
He praised his 'courageous and dedicated officers have put themselves in harm's way to protect the local community', and promised 'that we will continue to arrest and prosecute those responsible – there will be consequences to those involved – we will not stand by and allow people to attack our society'.
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"Valuable police resources, that should be helping victims of crime in our communities, are having to be diverted to deal with this mindless thuggery. This behaviour is shameful and will have been terrifying for residents, I am aware of older residents living in the immediate area who were massively traumatised by this disorder.'
Mr Boutcher appealed to politicians and anyone with influence in the area 'to stand up and condemn and stop this mindless violence' and said he 'will be seeking the strongest custodial sentences for those involved in the recent disorder across Northern Ireland'.
'Those who choose to be involved are taking a decision to change their futures. Do not get involved,' he warned.
Fountain resident, Donna Best, said tensions have been heightened for months. Her sister lives close to the 'peace wall' and she said bricks, bottles and eggs have been thrown over.
Ms Best also made reference to a threatening TikTok post which has caused widespread consternation in the Fountain community.
With an Irish tricolour background and a burning Union Jack, the post said: 'Need as many heads in the Fountain as possible Monday, half 4, getting them out once and for all.
'There will be no changes to this, it is going ahead no matter what, please everyone send this around and information will be put up on where everyone should meet up.'
The concerned resident said attacks are being 'pre-organised and arranged' and believes it could be 'fuelled by adults in the background'.
'I would say to parents, as someone who has been through this for years, where are they? If my child came in smelling of petrol… parents need to take responsibility, before some child is killed,' she said.
'They could risk getting a criminal record and destroying their futures. Parents need to stand up.'
Ms Best was critical of all politicians, including unionist parties, who she said were in the area for interviews on Wednesday but 'didn't take the time to check on residents or assure them'.
In Alexander House where there is sheltered accommodation for tenants over 60 years of age, Joe Grant said he believed the PSNI response was 'heavy handed' as Land Rovers lined the street.
'All I could hear was the police dogs and sirens blaring all night,' he recalled. 'They brought them before after one of the marches and they were barking non-stop.'
Mr Grant said there are young people in both communities who goad one another.
A resident whose flat faces on to Nailors Row, where trouble raged the night before, estimated that there must have been around 80 police officers.
'It was mad,' he said, while describing how bricks and fireworks aimed at police officers almost hit his own window.
Recalling the scenes, the resident said PSNI officers who had hold of aggressive dogs would extend the leash to disperse the young people.
He also witnessed injured officers who'd been struck with masonry or petrol bombs being helped from the scene by their colleagues and 'saw about six of them having to be pulled into the jeeps'.
As a tenant of four years he said that trouble generally flares during the loyalist marching season.
On the other side of an interface fence, a resident who has lived in the Fountain estate since 1985 also shared frustrations. His wife has a disability and the couple are 'worried' about the situation 'getting out of hand'.
The sinister TikTok post was at the forefront of his mind as he demanded police and the media call it what it is.
'Sectarianism,' he said. 'This is the only Protestant enclave, people can't say this is not a sectarian attack. This was a threat to burn people out.'
He pointed to baton rounds and water cannon being deployed against racist rioters in Ballymena and said the same tactics should be used against youths in Derry.
'You can't have baton rounds for one crowd and not for another. Petrol bombs are extremely dangerous. It's two-tier policing,' he continued.
The man was also critical of politicians and community representatives in the Bogside and Brandywell, suggesting Sinn Féin has 'lost control of it'.
Sinn Féin MLA Pádraig Delargy has condemned the incidents and appealed for calm.
The sentiments of the Fountain resident were shared by individuals from the nationalist community who said that most community workers in the area are members of Sinn Féin, which can reduce the impact they have.
There are also concerns that dissident elements are orchestrating some of the violence.
The Irish Republican Socialist Party has called on young people attacking the Fountain estate to 'desist immediately' condemning the those behind the violence as 'wrong and sectarian and in essence are anti-Republican'.
In a statement the group sought to distance bonfire builders from the disorder and pointed to young people in both communities carrying out attacks. It also accused the PSNI of 'provocative behaviour towards the young people'.
One resident said he hoped the move would make a difference as he criticised politicians from all parties saying he only sees them at election time.
But he too warned that if the disorder continues, it could lead to 'someone being injured or killed'.