Northern Ireland

Man arrested after shots fired at hunger striker mural in Derry

Shots were fired in the air during a commemoration in Derry's Galliagh area to marking the 40th anniversary of the death of INLA hungerstriker, Michael Devine
Shots were fired in the air during a commemoration in Derry's Galliagh area to marking the 40th anniversary of the death of INLA hungerstriker, Michael Devine Shots were fired in the air during a commemoration in Derry's Galliagh area to marking the 40th anniversary of the death of INLA hungerstriker, Michael Devine

A MAN arrested after shots were fired at a republican mural during a 'show of strength' in Derry was last night released.

Detectives investigating the incident at a commemoration in the Fern Park area of Galliagh carried out searches at a house in the area on Saturday.

A 30-year-old man was arrested under the Terrorism Act.

A number of items were also seized and the man was taken to Musgrave Police Station for questioning.

Polcie said he was later released but the incident remains under investigation.

Footage that circulated widely on social media showed two masked men firing shots in front of a mural of INLA hunger striker Michael Devine.

A group of masked men walked to a mural in memory of Devine, the final 1981 hunger striker to die. Two fired shots into the air before the grouped walked away.

The incident was heavily criticised by the unionist community, which called for a full investigation.

However, police claimed they had a "significant" operation in place.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and Secretary of State Brandon Lewis both said they had spoken to PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne to express their concern over the footage.