Petrol bombs thrown at officers ahead of Eleventh Night
Officers were pelted with bricks and petrol bombs during a night of disorder in Londonderry.
More than 30 missiles were hurled at Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers on Saturday (July 7) as they tried to put a stop to anti-Protestant violence.
Three improvised explosives had been thrown near the city’s Fountain estate interface and Nailor’s Row, with one igniting in the mainly Protestant Fountain area.
The force had been deployed to prevent disorder, but were attacked with petrol bombs as further missiles were also thrown at nearby properties.
Some of the aggressors are believed to be as young as ten years old.
The tensions come just days before the annual ‘Eleventh Night’ Protestant celebration that has previously seen violence break out between loyalist and republican groups.
Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “Fortunately, no injuries were sustained, but this violent behaviour simply damages our city and cannot be tolerated.
“I would like to express my thanks and admiration to those in the community and my colleagues who worked tirelessly to minimise the impacts of this disorder and indeed bring the situation under control.”
He added: “I would finish by saying to those responsible to ask themselves what this type of behaviour actually achieves? People from right across the city do not want this kind of activity on their doorsteps and I would urge those engaged in violence and criminal damage to desist from such behaviour immediately.”
