A bus transporting children back from a youth football tournament in Omagh was attacked with bricks in the Waterside area of Londonderry on Sunday, resulting in injuries to some young passengers and damage to vehicles. The incident has prompted calls for political leadership amid a series of recent disturbances in the city.
The bus was carrying participants from a cross-community football tournament organised by North West Youth Services in partnership with the Rio Ferdinand Foundation. The event had brought together 125 young people from across Ireland, including Protestant, Catholic, and newcomer communities, with the aim of promoting unity and understanding.
During the bus’s journey through Irish Street, in the Waterside district of Londonderry, it came under attack when bricks were thrown, breaking windows and causing cuts and grazes to some children on board. A teenage boy was notably covered in glass, and passengers and the driver were left “badly shaken,” according to police.
North West Youth Services expressed deep sadness over the episode, highlighting the positive efforts made by youth organisations in the city to encourage integration and tolerance. A spokesperson said, “The whole community initiatives that our organisations provide are designed to promote tolerance and integration and to help young people realise a shared and inclusive society where they are protected and valued.” They emphasised the distress caused by the attack on what had been a successful event promoting community cohesion.
The youth group also called on community leaders and politicians to show “restraint and responsible leadership” in response to what they described as a troubling pattern of incidents in recent months. They urged young people to engage more positively with their communities, stating, “Actions have consequences and the choices you make today can impact your life forever.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed the incident was being investigated as one of several “sectarian hate crimes” currently under review in Londonderry. They provided details of the event, noting that a large group of mostly masked youths gathered in the area on April 27 from around 5pm, during which bricks, bottles, and fireworks were thrown at police and each other. Alongside the bus attack, damage was caused to one other vehicle and two police cars.
A PSNI spokesperson encouraged witnesses to come forward with information or footage related to the disturbances. They provided contact details for reporting, including a non-emergency online form and Crimestoppers anonymous hotline.
This violent episode marks a concerning development for a community working to bridge divides through youth engagement and cross-community activities, with both youth organisations and law enforcement calling for calm and cooperation to address ongoing tensions in the city.
Source: Noah Wire Services