In Derry, a series of recent sectarian incidents have prompted concern and police action amid fears of rising tension in the city. The Irish News (Belfast) is reporting that since Saturday, a number of attacks and acts of vandalism believed to be sectarian hate crimes have occurred across the city, leading to multiple arrests.
One of the latest incidents took place on Tuesday evening when a paint bomb was thrown at Walker’s Plinth, a landmark on Derry’s historic city walls. This act of vandalism followed an assault on a man in his 20s in the Bonds Hill area of the Waterside, which occurred on Monday. The man involved was arrested and later released on bail.
The violence began on Saturday evening at around 6.30pm in the Nelson Drive area, where three male youths were reportedly chased by a group of at least ten others. Some members of the chasing group were said to have shouted sectarian remarks. The targeted youths sought refuge in a garden at Caw Close before managing to escape.
Tensions escalated on Sunday afternoon with reports of an arranged fight in the Waterside area. According to police, a large group, mostly youths and some masked, gathered in the Irish Street vicinity. By early evening, bricks, bottles, and fireworks were thrown towards other youths and law enforcement officers. During the disorder, bricks also struck a bus and another vehicle passing through the area, leaving the driver and passengers visibly shaken. Two 18-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage related to the vehicle before being released on bail.
Further police activity on Tuesday saw two teenage males arrested on suspicion of affray, also subsequently released on bail. In total, five people have been arrested and bailed in connection with the ongoing wave of sectarian-related crimes and disorder.
SDLP’s Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan has voiced his concerns regarding the recent outbreaks of violence and called for immediate efforts towards calming tensions. Speaking to The Irish News, Mr Durkan said, "We have seen our young people set upon by gangs and vandalism that has caused real hurt in local communities. This is not what our city is about and it must end before a life is lost due to this violence." He emphasised that considerable work has been undertaken over the years to foster positive community relations in Derry and expressed frustration that these gains are being jeopardised. "We cannot allow decades of genuine cross-community efforts to be eroded in a matter of days due to the actions of a very small number of people," he added.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with information relevant to these incidents to come forward to the police, who continue to investigate the links between the various disturbances. These events have marked a troubling period in the city’s recent history, highlighting ongoing challenges related to community cohesion.
Source: Noah Wire Services