Disorder breaks out following parade

Published Saturday, 13 August 2011
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A pipe bomb has been thrown at police in Londonderry during disturbances which erupted in the Bogside area of the city, after the annual Apprentice Boys' parade in the city.

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    Disturbances in Derry
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    Apprentice Boys’ Parade

No-one was injured in the blast which happened at Free Derry Corner shortly before 7pm.

Meanwhile petrol bombs continued to be lobbed at police in the Butcher Gate area of the city.

The disturbances broke out towards the end of the Apprentice Boys' parade, during which 10,000 marchers walked through the city to mark the anniversary of the 1688/89 siege.

Masked youths attacked police landrovers, throwing petrol bombs and a number of cars have also been hijacked and set alight.

A woman and her daughter were pulled from their car in the Creggan Street area at around 6pm, as the vehicle was targeted by hijackers.

Earlier a Royal Mail van was hijacked at Madams Bank Road and torched in Earhart Park by two men shortly after 12pm.

Motorists in the area were warned to remain vigilant as a car was set alight in Fahan Street at around 5.15pm and a van was hijacked on the Leckey Road.

Police also came under attack when petrol bombs were thrown at the Memorial Hall and at landrovers. Missiles were also thrown at officers in the Butcher Gate area at around 4pm.

Earlier, a minor scuffle broke out between protesters and police at Shipquay Street.

Local SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the scenes in the city were "disgraceful".

"I do believe we have a serious situation here, there's quite a large number of youths gathered in the Bogside. We had a couple of vans set alight. There's also a car in flames.

"I just hope the police have a good handling on the situation."

Two arrests were made during the day for disorderly and riotous behaviour and a 16-year-old boy was arrested for disorderly behaviour at premises on the Dungiven Road and taken to Strand Road police station.

UTV's Gareth Wilkinson described some of the scenes.

"Many petrol bombs were thrown at a number of landrovers sent in to clear hijacked cars which had been set alight in the area.

"Youths with masks attacked the landrovers with missiles and petrol bombs.

"It was a short, sustained and serious piece of rioting which ended quite quickly."

Police remained on high alert across the city throughout the night.

© UTV News
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41 Comments
marty watp in belfast wrote (282 days ago):
jOHN was it an irish american you met by any chance ? also protestants dont feel welcome at the paddy's day parade and also resented the disruption to the city,
Sean in Derry wrote (282 days ago):
Whoever believes the comments about this march bringing much needed cash to this city is living in fantasy land; the city centre was once again a ghost town, the same as every year. Off licences and burger vans are probably the only premises that made money on Saturday
The other Charlie in Belfast. wrote (282 days ago):
Surely it is time for bitter 'Shinners, Republicans, Nationalists, IRA ex-terrorists ( including those now in Government ) and Fenians of whatever hue to catch themselves on and allow Protestants, Unionists and Loyalists of whatever hue, the right to celebrate their culture and remember with pride the glorious battles fought and won by King William.
joe in belfast wrote (283 days ago):
lets not forget SF/PIRA started these protests years ago, it seems the dogs have turned on their masters.....
Charlie in Armagh wrote (283 days ago):
I would have been more surprised if they did this in the mornin or even better not at all!! Keep doin wat you's are doin and make the whole even bigger whole, the parades commission are watchin ya's! :)
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