Intimidaiton and harassment of journalists by dissident repulicans 'deeply disturbing': NUJ

​The targeting of reporters and photographers by petrol bombers in Londonderry has been strongly condemned by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
By Mark Rainey
Published 2nd Apr 2024, 17:29 BST
Updated 2nd Apr 2024, 17:42 BST
Republican youths with petrol bombs at the annual 1916 Easter Rising parade in the Creggan area of Londonderry. Photo: Kelvin Boyes /Press EyeRepublican youths with petrol bombs at the annual 1916 Easter Rising parade in the Creggan area of Londonderry. Photo: Kelvin Boyes /Press Eye
Republican youths with petrol bombs at the annual 1916 Easter Rising parade in the Creggan area of Londonderry. Photo: Kelvin Boyes /Press Eye

​The union’s assistant general secretary, Seamus Dooley, described the intimidation and harassment – following an illegal dissident republican march – as “completely unacceptable and deeply disturbing”.

He said: “I have received reports from journalists covering the event and spoken to a photographer chased from the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"This type of behaviour has no place in a democratic society. Coming just a few weeks before the anniversary of the killing of Lyra McKee – and a day after what would have been her 34th birthday – this is a profoundly depressing development.

“To again see young men carrying petrol bombs and masked men marching in paramilitary uniforms is very disturbing.

“The attempt to intimidate photographers and reporters must be condemned.”

Mr Dooley said it is extremely fortunate that no one was seriously injured, but said the consequences of the “reprehensible behaviour” could have been much worse.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“There was a clear strategy in place to intimidate photographers and to attempt to intimidate individual members of the media corps,” Mr Dooley added.

“These people do not represent the people of Creggan or the community of Derry. They do not have a mandate to dictate the terms on which journalists cover news stories in Northern Ireland.

“The NUJ sends solidarity to all journalists who covered yesterday’s events and to those who were the subject of harassment.”