Appeal for calm after 'deplorable' petrol bomb attacks at dissident march
Police have appealed for calm. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
Police in the North have appealed for calm after officers were attacked with petrol bombs during a dissident republican march in Derry.
A number of missiles were hurled by young people at a PSNI Land Rover which was monitoring the parade in the Creggan area of the city on Monday afternoon.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Our officers have come under attack in Creggan with petrol bombs and other objects thrown at their vehicle while in attendance at an un-notified Easter parade.
“No injuries have been reported at this time.
“We would appeal for calm.”
The parade, which travelled to the City Cemetery, was led by a number of people in paramilitary-style dress.
Breaking: Police have been attacked in #Derry today during the Easter Rising Commemoration as they attempt to intervene with the Irish Republican march which was deemed illegal after permission was not granted permission from the Parades Commission.
— Aodhán Roberts (@AodhanRob) April 10, 2023
The PSNI had said in recent… pic.twitter.com/FpRqXQZX1c
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill described the violent scenes as “deplorable”.
She added: “Twenty-five years on from the Good Friday Agreement this needless street disorder in Derry has no place in our society.
“As political leaders we must stand united, appealing to all those concerned to end these attacks and refrain from further threats of violence, whether in Derry or North Down.
“This type of illegal and anti-community activity is deplorable and out of step from wider community and public opinion.
“Our focus is on the future and on the future of our young.
“This society is moving forward and peace and stability will prevail.”
Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the “senseless violence” is the last thing the people of Derry want to see.
“It was wrong 25 years ago and it is wrong now,” he said.
“The saddest part of this spectacle is that young people with no memory or experience of the violence of our past are being manipulated and abused by people with no vision for the future.
“Those whipping our kids into a frenzy and sending them out to attack the police have nothing to offer the people of Derry and this city will continue to reject them.” DUP MLA Gary Middleton tweeted: “Another clearly coordinated attack on the PSNI.
“The parade was illegal from the outset. This reckless behaviour is an attempt to cause harm not only to PSNI officers but to our communities as well. There must be swift action to bring those responsible to justice.”
Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie said: “Absolute wasters. Sent out to riot by men sitting in pubs acting the big lads.”
Alliance Party MLA Kellie Armstrong tweeted: “Disgraceful. The actions of some who want to drag NI back to dark days is abhorrent.”
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney also tweeted his support for the PSNI.
“So called dissident republicans have nothing to offer our society, north or south,” he said.
“A tiny minority of thugs seeking headlines, wanting to take Northern Ireland backwards.”
On Friday, the PSNI has said it had "strong intelligence terror attacks are being planned against its officers on Easter Monday".
They also said that PSNI officers would be "moved to frontline duties to counter any potential threats".
Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton also added that the PSNI had received “strong community intelligence” there would be “attempts to draw police into serious public disorder and to use that then as a platform to launch terrorist attacks on police as well”
Police had increased security measures in response to the un-notified parade.
