More petrol bomb attacks despite decline in Londonderry violence

Crude but viable explosives were left near the city walls on Wednesday (July 11) as Eleventh Night celebrations were held across the Province.

Another 16 petrol bombs were thrown at officers in Londonderry, who have faced similar attacks for the last five nights – including being shot at by young people.

An attempted murder investigation has been launched into the gunfire, which did not lead to any injuries.

The force now believes the disorder is beginning to die down but warned that continued attacks are “unacceptable”.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd said: “The general levels of calls for assistance last night were similar to what we have seen in recent years however we did deal with disorder and disruption which seen 13 vehicles burnt out in Belfast and Newtownards and petrol bombs thrown at my officers in Derry/Londonderry. There were also a number of security alerts.

“No part of this is acceptable and today we are looking at the evidential picture to pursue lines of enquiry.

“I would like to pay tribute to the job that my officers, along with other emergency services, did last night.”

Londonderry’s Protestant Fountain estate has been repeatedly attacked in the run-up to the Eleventh Night celebration on July 11, when bonfires are lit in many Protestant and loyalist neighbourhoods.

Several males have been charged in connection with the disorder.

Further violence has broken out in east Belfast and parts of County Down, with the fire service reporting a 23 per cent increase in bonfire-related incidents compared with last year.

Cars have also been set on fire while a bus was burned out in Dundonald.

On Twitter, Chief Constable George Hamilton rejected criticism of policing operations in Londonderry, adding that he has recently been reviewing resources with staff.

“405 officers deployed despite the social media myths of imbalanced policing,” he tweeted.

Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said: “While the number of people involved in last night’s disorder in the Bogside appears to have been less than in previous nights, it is still unacceptable and I am very disappointed people made a deliberate decision to go out onto the streets and cause trouble, despite the clear message from the community earlier.

“I am, however, thankful this morning that none of our officers, or members of the public have been injured.”

July 12 marks the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne when protestant William of Orange defeated the Catholic King James II in in 1690.

Each year, Orange Order parades, involving pipe and drum bands, march through villages, towns and cities across Northern Ireland, often clashing with Republican supporters.

A parade passed a flashpoint at shops on the Ardoyne Road in North Belfast without incident on Thursday (July 12) morning. However, in previous years it is the returning Orangemen who have faced the most violence and the Parades Commission has imposed a ban on the parade passing this point.

The PSNI is expected to have water cannon and hundreds of officers on standby at this and other controversial locations.