Northern Ireland

Police in Derry attacked with petrol bombs for third night in a row

Police were attacked for a third consecutive night
Police were attacked for a third consecutive night Police were attacked for a third consecutive night

A THIRD night of petrol bomb attacks on police by loyalist rioters in Derry is being deliberately orchestrated to raise tensions, a Sinn Féin councillor has claimed.

One PSNI officer was injured when police came under attack in Tullyally again last night.

The officer was struck by masonry but was able to continue with their duties.

Fifteen petrol bombs were also seized during the disturbance.

Chief Inspector Bob Blemmings said a number of youths were involved in the latest attack which began around 8pm when petrol bombs and other missiles were thrown at police.

"This is the third consecutive night we have witnessed these reckless attacks," he said.

“A 17-year-old male arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour has since been released on bail pending further inquiries. Officers also seized 15 petrol bombs from the area,” he said.

The senior PSNI officer warned those taking part that they risked the possibility of a criminal conviction.

“This is the third consecutive night we have witnessed these reckless attacks which are harming the local community. We would appeal to parents and guardians to make sure their children are not getting drawn into activity that will bring them to the attention of police," he said.

Christopher Jackson said the situation has been escalating all week since a group of men attempted to enter the adjacent Currynierin nationalist area with iron bars.

Mr Jackson said the men were disarmed by police and the first night of rioting ensued. He said Currynierin residents were angry that they were being "wrongly" implicated in the trouble.

The Sinn Féin councillor said: “For three nights in a row there have been incidents in the Tullyally area where petrol bombs have been thrown, burning barricades placed across the main roads and attempts by some to enter Currynierin with iron bars."

Mr Jackson said he was made aware of an incident, also on Monday, in which a youth was chased by a number of men in a car close to St Mary’s Church in Ardmore.

"A number of men in a car stopped the youth and called him a Fenian b******d but he managed to run off and hide. This is being deliberately orchestrated by people who want to raise tensions. They know that one way of getting police out is to try to go into Currynierin," he said.

The attacks were also condemned by SDLP councillor, Martin Reilly who said that rioters were putting "lives at risk".

DUP assembly member Gary Middleton, who visited the scene, also condemned the disorder and said people were angry that such incidents were continuing to happen.

Mr Middleton said it was unclear what sparked the disturbances but said issues suggested ranged from loyalist unhappiness with police to inter-community issues.