THE PSNI says it has launched a full investigation into "disgraceful scenes" of paramilitary show of strength during a hunger striker commemoration in Derry.
Video footage of masked men firing shots in the air at Fern Park on Friday was widely shared on social media.
It was part of a commemoration to mark the 40th anniversary of INLA volunteer and Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) activist Mickey Devine who died on August 20, 1981 after 60 days on hunger strike.
The footage showed a group of masked men walking to a mural in memory of Mr Devine, where two of them, carrying what appeared to be rifles, fired a number of shots in the air before the group walked off.
The footage was condemned by the Ulster Unionist Party, with councillor Darren Guy saying such acts "should be consigned to the past" and called on the PSNI "to step up their efforts against these criminal gangs to remove such weaponry".
"It's disgusting that these types of acts are allowed to continue in Londonderry. Glorification of terrorism is always wrong and this INLA `show of strength is a direct insult to the families of its many innocent victims.
"The only reason these criminals have weapons is to fuel their empire building; to exert pressure on their own communities and to instil fear within those communities."
UUP leader Doug Beattie had called for a "full investigation" saying the PSNI was "using the term 'appear to be firearms' as the weapons seem to be gas operated and blank firing, with no empty cases being ejected. Also the sound does not seem to be that of a high-velocity weapon".
"Regardless of the weapons' authenticity, there is no place for this in society. These are yesterday's men - drug dealers, pimps, extortionists and petty criminals. Nobody should ever contemplate giving them any kind of support or view them as any kind of freedom fighter.
"They restrict freedom, they have the boot on the neck of their own community and should be viewed as an embarrassment to nationalism."
Superintendent Catherine Magee said last night officers are looking into what happned.
"I recognise public concern at the disgraceful scenes in Derry/Londonderry on Friday evening and want to assure the local community that a full investigation into this incident is underway.
"My job is to keep people safe and I will continue to work alongside local representatives, partner agencies and the community to address all criminal activity and bring those who break the law before the courts."
She aksed anyone with information to contact detectives on 101, quoting reference number 2840 of 20/08/21or on the online reporting form www.psni.police.uk/makeareport.
