Police in Northern Ireland said they are dealing with a second night of disorder in Derry – and have asked the public to avoid the Nailors Row area of Derry this evening
Disorder broke out in Northern Ireland again this evening, police have said, with a number of “missiles and petrol bombs” being thrown at cops. Officers have asked the public to avoid the Nailors Row area of Derry this evening as the incident unfolds.
The police said in a statement shared on social media: “Police are dealing with ongoing disorder in the Nailors Row area of Derry / Londonderry this evening, Tuesday 17th June. “A number of missiles, including masonry and petrol bombs, have been thrown towards officers. We would ask the public to avoid the area until further notice.” It is the second night of disorder in the city.
READ MORE: Portadown chaos see rioters hurl petrol bombs at police amid ‘week of shame’
Last night, three officers were injured after being pelted with debris and fireworks. A crowd gathered in the Orchard Row area of Londonderry before police were attacked. The gathering was organised over social media on Monday night, the Belfast Telegraph reported.
This afternoon, police confirmed two arrests were made in relation to yesterday’s disorder. A spokesperson added: “A second arrest has been made today, 17 June, by police in Derry/Londonderry in connection with disorder in the Nailors Row area of the city last night, 16 June.
A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of riotous behaviour, and has since been released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to be conducted.”
Tonight’s disorder follows last week’s riots which saw petrol bombs being thrown at cops in what was dubbed a “week of shame” for the region. After serious public disorder erupted in Ballymena on Monday last week, the focus of the violence and unrest shifted to Portadown.
One officer was directly in the impact of a petrol bomb that landed behind a line of police vehicles during a sustained standoff with those participating in the unrest on Friday.
Fireworks, masonry, and bottles were among other items thrown at riot police deployed in the town. Police used a water cannon on the crowd in an effort to disperse those gathered on West Street into other areas.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said everyone is condemning the disorder and calling for it to stop.
She said: “What we have seen over the last four days has been devastation, has been horrific for those people targeted – this is women and children, these are families, at the brunt of racist, violent attacks, and it is wrong on every level. The whole of the Executive is united on that front.”
Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described a “difficult time for Northern Ireland” with “disgraceful scenes of violent disorder”, and said her thoughts are with the residents of the areas affected.
Additional police officers from Scotland supported the PSNI after a mutual aid request. Scottish First Minister John Swinney said it was an illustration of how cooperation between police forces is “absolutely essential”.