A LOCAL MP in Derry has pleaded with people to “stop causing havoc” after a second night of disorder yesterday.
It is understood two Catholic boys were allegedly attacked in April, with ongoing issues across Derry as a result.
These tensions erupted in violent disorder with large crowds gathering in areas across the city on Monday and Tuesday night.
The PSNI confirmed petrol bombs and masonry were thrown at officers during violence in the Nailors row area of Derry yesterday.
Missiles were also thrown as part of the unrest outside a facility for the elderly in the area.
An 18-year-old and a 13-year-old were arrested on Monday night on suspicion of riotous behaviour.
Both were later released.
Colum Eastwood MP is now pleading with young people to avoid getting sucked into violence that will “haunt” them as he slammed the recent disorder.
He also pleaded with parents to prevent their children engaging in antisocial behavior and have sit down conversations with their children about the violence seen across Northern Ireland recently.
Mr Eastwood said: “For the second night in a row young people put themselves and others in danger around Nailor’s Row.
“It’s the last thing that anyone in the city wants or needs and it needs to stop before someone is seriously hurt or worse.
“Elderly people living in nearby Alexander House were left worried and distressed about what was happening around their homes. They don’t want or deserve that.
“The last thing that any of us wants is for young people in Derry to throw away their futures for a moment of madness.
“I’m urging parents to sit down with their kids today, talk to them about this and about the violence across the North over the last week.
“Explain to them the impact that it has on our community, the danger they’re putting themselves in and the serious risk that a criminal conviction will follow and have a lasting impact on their lives.
“There is a lot of good community work going on to minimise disorder. I know there are first class outreach and engagement workers that are trying to give young people an alternative to this.
“It’s really important that we invest in those projects and provide people in the city with the tools to divert young people from this kind of future.”
‘AVOID THE AREA’
Police warned people to avoid the area last night as the disorder broke out for the second night.
In a statement they said: “Police are dealing with ongoing disorder in the Nailors Row area of Derry / Londonderry this evening, Tuesday June 17.
“A number of missiles, including masonry and petrol bombs, have been thrown towards officers.
“We would ask motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area until further notice.”
BALLYMENA RIOTS
The disorder in Derry comes just days after almost a week of violent protests in Ballymena in Antrim.
The unrelated disorder broke out after a peaceful protest in Ballymena last week.
2,500 people gathered after a teenage girl was allegedly the victim of a serious sexual assault last weekend.
The crowd had initially gathered to support the family of the girl but violence broke out later in the evening, with homes being smashed in and missiles thrown through the windows.
Several people were arrested and are due in court, with police requesting public help identifying further suspects.
It is reported 64 officers were injured amid the violence.
