PETROL bombs were thrown at police during what was described as an “opportunistic” attack in Derry's nationalist Galliagh area.
Masonry and other missiles were thrown as trouble flared when police and ammunition technical officers (ATO) were tasked to deal with a suspicious object in the Templemore Road area around 4pm on Easter Monday.
The object was later declared an “elaborate hoax” and was removed for further examination. A number of youths attacked police during the security alert but calm was restored a short time later.
Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Brian Tierney, an SDLP representative for the area, described the Galliagh trouble as “opportunistic”.
He said the Galliagh situation had been less intense than the trouble witnessed in other areas and stopped “ten minutes” after the security alert ended.
“We can never be sure but I don’t think we will see a repeat in Galliagh. I would describe it as opportunistic in that it was young people attacking police who came into the area to deal with a security alert. Regardless of what the reason was, this must stop,” Mr Tierney said.
Sinn Féin councillor Sandra Duffy said youth leaders and workers in Galliagh engaged with young people in the wake of the trouble.
“The leadership shown in the community was appreciated,” Ms Duffy said.
Derry PSNI District Commander Darrin Jones said a number of petrol bombs had been thrown but there were no reports of any injuries.
