A former senior PSNI officer says police must prosecute members of a masked dissident parade in Londonderry which saw officers attacked with petrol bombs.

Two men, aged 30 and 55, were arrested under the Terrorism Act and a van and a number of items were also seized. The annual dissident republican Easter Monday parade involved dozens of masked men wearing paramilitary-style uniforms.

The march started in the Creggan and concluded with speeches at Free Derry corner. Nearby, a crowd of mostly young people threw several petrol bombs and fireworks at police vehicles. The dissident republican event has sparked violence in previous years.

Former PSNI Area Commander for Londonderry Jon Burrows (now retired), said: “Once again there was a masked colour party parading around Creggan and people, including children involved in rioting and attacking the PSNI.

placeholder image — Youths throwing rocks towards police in the Bogside area of Londerry, following a dissident republican parade. The annual parade, which marks the Easter Rising against British rule in Dublin in 1916, involved a colour party of men carrying flags and wearing paramilitary style uniforms with their faces covered. Photo: Niall Carson/PA Wire 21-04-25.

"It is vital that there is now a relentless investigation and those who broke the law are identified and prosecuted. It is an offence under s13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 to wear paramilitary style clothing and no stone should go unturned in pursuing those who defied the law and attacked police officers.” Police must release images of suspects they cannot identify in a public appeal, he added.

Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney masks used breached a Parades Commission determination.

“As these masked individuals made their way towards the dispersal point on Lecky Road, disorder developed in the area of Nailors Row from around 2.50pm,” she said.

“Petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry were thrown which resulted in nearby Bishop Street being closed for a time for public safety reasons.”

She added: “This disorder involving young people was orchestrated. We have no doubt about this.

“Young people were shamelessly and deliberately used in an attempt to distract from and shield the masked individuals as they took cover in a gazebo following the parade in the area of St Joseph’s Place to change out of their parade clothing. This is child criminal exploitation. It is utterly shameful.”