Shocking video shows the moment violent thugs threw petrol bombs at a police van in Londonderry following a string of republican Easter marches across Northern Ireland at the weekend – as officers in the British province arrested seven men under counter-terrorism laws.
Video filmed by Irish News journalist Connla Young shows a PSNI police van being petrol bombed at the City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road yesterday, before it then drove off. Other clips posted on Twitter on Monday showed the same scene from a different angle, with angry social media users branding the mob of jeering thugs ‘scumbags’.
Police in Northern Ireland arrested six men aged between 29 and 54 under the Terrorism Act, and a seventh man on suspicion of disorderly behaviour. Officers also seized number of vehicles, paramilitary-style uniforms and petrol bombs.
Derry and Strabane District Commander, Chief Superintendent Ryan Henderson called the attack ‘premeditated’ and accused activists of ‘using, encouraging and cheering along’ the young thugs ‘to attack the police’.
The shocking violence broke out following a republican parade to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising in Derry, which was connected to the anti-agreement party Saoradh – itself accused of having links with the extremist self-styled New IRA group.
Republican activists marched from Free Derry corner to the City Cemetery in Londonderry, before a masked man told the crowd: ‘We are here to stay’ to applause. The Irish national anthem was then played on the anniversary of the uprising. Later, a message was also read from republican prisoners at jails in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Meanwhile in Belfast, huge crowds took part in Easter commemorations to mark 106 years since the 1916 Rising. In an address at the Milltown Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reiterated her calls for Irish unity, telling unionsts: ‘British government after British government has disrespected and failed you, time and again.
‘Walk this journey with us. This is the decade of opportunity where we have the freedom to determine our future. There is so much to gain.’
The large republican rallies also coincided as vigils were held in Belfast and Derry to mark the third anniversary of the murder of journalist Lyra McKee, who tragically died after being struck by a bullet during rioting in the Creggan area of Derry on April 18, 2019. The New IRA later claimed responsibility for the killing.
Her family last night voiced their disgust that the parade had been allowed to go ahead, with Miss McKee’s sister Nichola Corner questioning why the event could not have been held on a different day, pointing out the date of Easter changes every year.
Video filmed by Irish News journalist Connla Young shows petrol bombs being hurled at a PSNI police van at the City Cemetery on Lone Moor Road yesterday, before it then drove off
Other clips posted on Twitter showed the same scene from a different angle, with social media users branding the jeering thugs ‘scumbags’
Shocking video shows the moment violent thugs threw a petrol bomb at a police van in Londonderry