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Irish Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Post
MLA condemns 'disgusting and disgraceful' clashes surrounding League of Ireland match
AN MLA has branded scenes of disorder surrounding Friday night's League of Ireland clash between Derry and Bohemians as 'disgusting and disgraceful'. Mark Durkan was speaking after the clubs drew 1-1 in their game at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, with clashes between rival fans in the area before, during and after the game. Police have now launched an investigation and said they believe the clashes were 'pre-arranged'. Two hospitalised The PSNI said they were alerted shortly after 7pm on Friday of two large groups of rival supporters attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars. They also caused damage to buildings and cars parked in the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road areas. A teenage boy and a man aged in his 20s were taken to hospital after being injured. Police said further disorder then occurred in the vicinity of the stadium during and after the football match. Videos of the clashes posted online also showed one group aiming fireworks at rival supporters. "We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved," said Superintendent William Calderwood. 'Organised attack' Speaking after the game, Mr Durkan said that someone could have been killed. "Just back from the Brandywell," said the SDLP MLA for Foyle. "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." Anyone with information or footage that could assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact 101, quoting reference number 1637 of July 25.
Daily Mail
13-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Mother and daughter, six, are killed after horror crash involving car and a van
A mother and daughter, six, died after a horror crash involving a car and a van in Co Donegal, Ireland. They have been named locally as Natalie McLaughlin and daughter, Ella. The little girl died in the collision, which occurred on the R240 at Glentogher, Carndonagh, on Wednesday evening. Her mother, aged in her 20s, was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry following the crash and was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, where she died on Thursday evening. A man in his 30s and another girl, who was a rear seat passenger in the car, are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries at hospitals in Northern Ireland. Mark Durkan, the Social Democratic and Labour Party leader for Foyle, said that Ms McLaughlin was 'well known and respected in the area'. In a social media post alongside a photograph of the mother and daughter, he said: 'This is the beautiful young mum and daughter, Natalie and Ella McLaughlin, who were tragically killed in a collision near their home in Carndonagh on Wednesday night. 'Natalie was a nurse in a local doctor's surgery and was well known and respected in the area. 'Wee Ella was just six. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with all affected by this terrible tragedy.' Fianna Fail councillor Martin McDermott told the BBC that people locally were finding it difficult to 'comprehend what has happened'. He said: 'This is a young mother and a young child, it has a real effect on people, on the community, people just don't know what to say. 'Everybody's life in that circle is changed forevermore.' He added: 'It has been very, very difficult over the last couple of days, it will be difficult over the next number of days, over the weeks and months ahead particularly for the families involved.' An Garda Siochana is appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them. A spokesperson said: 'Any road users who may have camera footage, including dashcam, and were travelling in the area between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday July 2, are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai. 'Anyone with information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda station at 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.'
The Journal
28-04-2025
- The Journal
Three boys attacked by group in Derry among spate of alleged sectarian violence over the weekend
AN ATTACK ON three boys by a group of youths, of which there were reportedly at least 10, was among a spate of alleged sectarian violence and criminal behaviour in Derry over the weekend. Police in the north currently believe the incidents to be connected. On Saturday evening, it was reported that three boys were chased by a number of other youths, some of whom were reported to have shouted sectarian comments. The three males being chased sought refuge in a back garden, when allegedly their attackers jumped over a wall and used garden furniture to assault the boys. The attack was one of several criminal incidents that occurred over the weekend, police reported. Damage to a bus, criminal damage, and disorder were among the crimes. Yesterday afternoon, police responded to a report of an arranged fight in Waterside, Co Derry. A large number of people, most of whom were youths, arrived into the Irish street area and from around 5pm, bricks, bottles and fireworks were thrown by youths at their peers and police. A bus and another vehicle were damaged with bricks while travelling through the area. Two police vehicles were damaged. In the evening, police received a report that a mural in The Fountain Estate had been damaged with paint bombs thrown at it. Advertisement Later that same evening, a police vehicle carrying two police dogs was damaged by youths in the Irish Street area who threw objects at it. The dogs were uninjured and police arrested two males on suspicion of criminal damage, with one also arrested for an assault on the police. Police Dog Kodi was one of two PDs travelling in a police vehicle was it was damaged. Another vehicle was damaged travelling through The Fountain Estate area later that night. The assault on the three boys, the attack on the bus and criminal damage caused to the mural are being treated as sectarian hate crimes. Enquiries remain ongoing. Local representative Mark Durkan said said he was 'absolutely sickened' by footage he has seen circulating online of the 'savage' attack on the three young males. 'It's being reported that this was a sectarian attack and has the potential to light the fuse on a situation that has been simmering in the Waterside for some time,' Durkan said. 'It is important that peace prevails and no retaliation is sought, inevitably innocent people will get hurt or even worse.' He criticised the attack on the bus, which had resulted in passengers injured by broken glass. 'This must have an incredibly frightening incident and this senseless violence must cease before anyone else is hurt,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
