“Local youths retaliated by attacking homes”, says Sinn Fein councillor
Fresh appeals for calm have been launched following sectarian clashes involving masked youths in the Waterside area of Derry.
Politicians from both Sinn Fein and the DUP are speaking out following clashes in the Top of the Hill and Irish Street areas earlier this week.
Social media footage showed masked youths launching fireworks at Annie’s Bar in the mostly nationalist Top of the Hill area, which a local councillor said was followed by retaliation as homes in the mostly unionist Irish Street area were attacked.
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In a statement, a spokesperson for the PSNI said it received reports of fireworks being discharged in the area on Monday evening.
The latest clashes follow repeated warnings that sectarian violence in the Waterside area over recent months could escalate.
Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson is amongst those appealing for calm.
“It’s believed the violence began when firework rockets were fired at Annie’s bar,” he said. “Local youths then retaliated by attacking homes in the Irish Street area. But no matter where this violence emanated from, it is blatant sectarianism and needs to be condemned.”
He added: “It also caused a great deal of distress to local residents and I would urge all those with influence to use it to ensure there is no repeat. There can be no place for sectarianism in our society.
“The people of this area and this city want and are entitled to an inclusive, better future for them and their children and reject this sectarian behaviour outright.”
DUP councillor Niree McMorris said: “I’m pleading for calm. Irish Street is a very settled area and this isn’t by people from the area. This is people from other areas coming in in order to cause mayhem and intimidation. Anybody that’s running around with masks and whatever, you know, they’re only there to intimidate other people.”
She continued: “I had raised over a year ago in the PCSP [Policing and Community Safety Partnership] about my fear around online organized fights and things similar to what we’re actually seeing now.
“Others said that wasn’t an issue and yet here we are. We’re seeing it very much as an issue. We really need to get on top of this here because somebody’s going to end up getting seriously injured or killed over this.”
The DUP councillor added: “I just have so so many fears because I do believe that there’s people out there exploiting these young people, you know, in order to carry out the attacks and the mayhem that we’re seeing. I really do worry for the young people ending up with criminal convictions. It is really concerning.”
A spokesperson for the PSNI said: “Police received reports from around 9.35pm on Monday night, 8 September, that fireworks were being discharged in the Top of The Hill area in the Waterside, in the Knockwellan/Trench Road/Irish Street area.
“According to one of the reports made to police, this had been going on for around 45 minutes and involved a number of young people – some of whom were said to be masked – who were standing on the road, discharging fireworks, some towards vehicles.
“Police attended and carried out patrols, but those who were reportedly involved had left area.”
The PSNI statement added: “Enquiries are ongoing and police appeal to anyone with footage or information is encouraged to call 101, or make a report online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ You can also speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org”
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