Published Sunday, 22 July 2012
The aftermath of a fire in the Galliagh area of Derry on Saturday. (© UTV)
The PSNI were called to the Moss Park area at around 11pm on Saturday following reports that youths were blocking the roads and setting wheelie bins on fire.
They were attacked on arrival at the scene. No-one was injured.
A number of tyres and other rubbish were set on fire at Glengalliagh Road.
Calm was restored shortly after 2:30am on Sunday.
The disorder first broke out on Thursday night when youths built a barricade in the middle of the road at Moss Park and set it on fire at around 10.30pm.
Two men, aged 18 and 43, were charged with riotous behaviour.
As a result of rioting on Friday, a 21-year-old man was arrested for disorderly behaviour.
A 17-year-old youth was detained and later released.
Meanwhile, almost 3,000 homes were temporarily left without electricity when an NIE substation caught fire in the Templepark area, close to the Ferndale Road, at around 6.45pm on Friday.
It is believed bonfire material was set on fire near the substation which then spread to the building.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, police and fire crews extinguished a small rubbish fire in the area of the substation in Galliagh Park.
Area Commander Chief Inspector Gary Eaton has described the violence as "disheartening."
He said the disorder was "a poor reflection of the mindset of the few who are intent on causing havoc and injury."
"Fortunately no one has been hurt during the disturbances which do not reflect the wishes of the majority of the community."
DCI Eaton said the PSNI will "continue dialogue and partnership" with those who are interested in making their communities a safer and more peaceful place to live in.
"I would appeal to anyone who knows the identity of any of those involved in the disturbances to contact police at Strand Road so that we can investigate fully and bring more of those who disrupt our lives to justice."
Sinn Féin councillor Elisha McCallion has appealed for the disorder to end.
"This has to stop, it cannot go on night after night.
She added: "Those behind the wrecking and burning have only succeeded in terrorising local residents by inflicting inconvenience upon them and the wider public."