Republican youths with dissident links blamed for night of disorder in Londonderry 'during which loyalist bandsmen confronted rioters'

Niree McMorris said that the street disturbances in the Waterside on Monday night included an attempt by masked republican youths to enter a loyalist-dominated neighbourhood, but they were prevented from doing so by loyalist bandsmen and the PSNI.

The PSNI said up to 50 masked individuals were involved.

Some were brandishing weapons, and some threw petrol bombs at police – something which a PSNI statement described as “regrettable”.

The PSNI said that the disturbances began at around 7.30pm when the masked crowd, which had been described as a mix of older and younger people, headed towards the playing fields in Knockwellan Park.

When the police turned up they were attacked, while some rioters blocked the road at the junction of Trench Road and Strabane Old Road “using wheelie bins and other items,” said the PSNI.

Police said that “by around 10.30pm calm was restored”.

Councillor Morris (DUP deputy mayor, Waterside) said those involved were republicans.

She told the News Letter that she had witnessed the rioters gathered at Trench Road, and that it was “scary stuff”.

She said that at one point some of the rioters came into the Irish Street estate, which she described as a unionist area.

"There was a band practice on, and they [the bandsmen] came out and pushed them back,” she said.

Specifically, it was members of the East Bank Protestant Boys Flute Band who had been practicing at Bann Drive.

"The police, to be fair, they were very quick,” said the councillor.

"There was nobody hurt or nothing damaged.

"But graffiti has appeared at The Top of the Hill area that says ‘kill all huns, kill all cops’.

"The very fact that this graffiti has appeared and all of a sudden there’s 50 youths masked up with petrol bombs would be very concerning.”

The graffiti had appeared in the days prior to the rioting, she said.

She added that “from all accounts” those involved in the disturbances “are from dissident kind of backgrounds”.

They “create havoc throughout the city, and come to the Waterside [because] its an ideal spot for them to draw in the police or draw in young Protestants or whatever”.

Of those responsible, she said: “All they’re doing is hurting their own community and terrorising other communities.”

In a statement Sinead McIldowney, Derry City and Strabane Superintendent, said: “The disorder last night was absolutely disgraceful.

"We believe this disorder was orchestrated, which is shameful as many of those involved have been described as young people.

"They are being used and exploited, and that is reprehensible.

“To the adults that were present last night and involved in the disorder, you are responsible for placing young people involved in danger.

"Last night there wasn’t just a risk to their safety, but to their future if they end up with a criminal record.

“Last night’s disorder is not welcomed or wanted by any right thinking person, and shows the lack of respect by those involved for the community.”

There will now be “a heightened and visible police presence in the area,” she added.

The News Letter put the councillors account to the police: namely, that those involved had dissident links, that they had tried to enter the unionist-dominated estate, and that they had been pushed back by a loyalist band as well as the police.

The PSNI responded: “I would advise you that our enquiries into last night’s disorder are ongoing and an investigation is underway.

"We would reiterate our appeal for information/footage in relation to this.”