Easter Monday dissident parade in Derry: Petrol bombs thrown at media as involvement of children branded ‘reprehensible’

Images shared with the Belfast Telegraph show one of the petrol bombs landing close to where journalists and photographers were gathered and earlier reports suggested a number of bottles were also thrown at the media.

Another video of the attacks shows a man running away as three youths – one holding an ignited petrol bomb – chase him down before throwing the bomb at his feet.

Police have said those involved in throwing petrol bombs have now dispersed.

Meanwhile, Ulsterbus said services to the Creggan area have been suspended for the rest of the day.

A police helicopter flew overhead the dissident parade and a drone warned those in attendance that it was an illegal procession.

The PSNI also warned drivers to avoid the Central Drive area and the surrounding area in Creggan due to the presence of “a number of people with petrol bombs” and confirmed a van had been set alight.

It is understood the police helicopter has also been tasked to the incident and a fire engine forced to turn back after a fire was lit across the road in the area.

“The NIFRS were mobilised just before 7.30pm to attend a report of rubbish being on fire across the road in Creggan Heights,” said a spokesperson.

“A number of missiles were thrown at the appliance. No damage was sustained. The appliance then turned back and left the area. Police are now on the scene.”

Watch: Shocking moment a petrol bomb is thrown at a journalist in Derry

Police said they were aware of social media commentary regarding the incident and appealed to any journalist attacked to report it to police.

Writing on social media, UUP leader Doug Beattie wrote: “Embarrassing, dangerous and completely pointless.

“Designed to raise tensions but will achieve absolutely nothing. A minority of nobodies.”

National Union of Journalists (NUJ) General Secretary Séamus Dooley said the attacks were “unacceptable”.

“This was a public commemoration. Photographers and reporters are entitled to report on such events without without threat or intimidation,” he said.

“The targeting of the media is this way is unacceptable and has no place in a democratic society. It is fortunate that there were not more serious injuries.

“Those responsible have no respect for the people of Derry and do not reflect the views of the vast majority of people across Northern Ireland. The NUJ extends support and solidarity to the journalists covering the commemoration.”

Alliance leader and Justice Minister Naomi Long said the violence had “no place in any community at any time”.

“In at least some cases, these are children. This is grooming and exploitation,” she posted on X.

Foyle MP and SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said the disturbance was the “last thing the community wants or needs”.

“The kids being whipped up into throwing petrol bombs at journalists and the police are putting their own lives and futures at risk as well as the safety of others.

“Those responsible for this only want to drag us back. They have nothing to offer the people of this city and they need to understand that we all want a better future.

“The people of Derry want to live in peace with their neighbours. We won’t have that peace threatened by anyone, let alone cowards that send kids out to throw petrol bombs.”

UUP group leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council, Ald Darren Guy, has appealed to parents to be aware of where there children are.

“This afternoon we have again witnessed how local IRA criminals will use young kids in an attempt to draw in PSNI units to Creggan, to attack them with bricks and petrol bombs, by destroying their own area as bait,” he said.

“These kids will achieve nothing other than a criminal record and diminish any future chances they have in life, all because bully boy criminals have used coercive control, to have them carry out their sinister fantasies, which amounts to nothing more than child criminal exploitation.

“I would appeal to all parents to know where their kids are and question them as to what they’ve been up to.”

Derry City and Strabane area commander Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, said despite a number of warnings to make the parade’s participants aware they were taking part in an illegal procession, they proceeded to the City Cemetery.

“Sadly, we saw evidence of petrol bombs being prepared by young people prior to the parade,” she said. “These youths were also involved in the parade along Central Drive.

“It is our assessment these would have been used to attack police had the opportunity arose.

“It’s incredibly sad, and really disheartening to see young people, including children, involved in this.

“Using young people in this way, risking their safety and encouraging them to engage in criminality is reprehensible.

“A local person’s van was set on fire for no reason, just next to a local community hall on Central Drive in Creggan, while a number of petrol bombs were also thrown in the area.”

Chief Superintendent Kearney said the PSNI has now launched an investigation into the parade, as well as the other incidents which unfolded.

Earlier, the event organised by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee, started in the Central Drive area of Creggan before making its way to the City Cemetery.

There was a colour party made up of people wearing face coverings, sunglasses and paramilitary-style dress, carrying the Irish flag and a host of republican flags.

Wreaths were laid at the republican plot at the City Cemetery and an oration was delivered.

Groups marched in west Belfast and other areas in Northern Ireland across the Easter weekend as part of an annual public marking of the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising against the then-British rule across the island of Ireland.

A form was lodged with the Parades Commission for part of the Easter Monday commemoration event.

Sources in the area believed it was a positive development that a form had been lodged with the Parades Commission “for the first time” in relation to the dissident republican parade at the City Cemetery.

However, the form was only in relation to that part of the event at the City Cemetery and did not include a parade from Creggan shops.

The form was submitted by the ‘Creggan Easter Committee’ over the weekend.

The Parades Commission confirmed it had been submitted, but said the form had been lodged late. Therefore, it was not registered on the Parades Commission website.

A spokesperson for the Parades Commission said: “The Commission received a notification from the ‘Creggan Easter Committee’ for an event at Creggan cemetery on Easter Monday.

“Notifications should normally be received 28 days in advance.”

Watch: Petrol bombs thrown at media during dissident parade in Derry

Posters which appeared in the area ahead of the event told people to assemble at 2pm and to “wear your Easter lily with pride”.

It had been suggested that if there was a “heavy police presence”, it would be like a “red rag to a bull” for some young people who live in Creggan.

Ahead of the parade, SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said the PSNI should be aware of attempts to “provoke” a response.

He believed it was best for police officers to serve any required notice and withdraw from the area.

Easter lily signs, an INLA sign and an Éistigí flag — the youth wing of Irish republican group Saoradh — are some of the symbols which mark the short route from Creggan shops to the City Cemetery.

An IRA sign also leans against a sculpture which sits atop a roundabout outside the grounds of St Mary’s chapel and depicts five young people dancing in a group.

The statue is just one example of how local people have tried to install uplifting artworks in the Creggan community over recent years.