Police attacked with petrol bombs at illegal dissident republican parade in Londonderry
21The Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee began their march through the Creggan estate to the city’s cemetery at 2pm on Easter Monday.
The parade was not listed with the Parades Commission. Ahead of the march police landrovers in the Creggan area were pelted with petrol bombs and bottles as hundreds gathered for the parade.
Police were again attacked as the parade entered Derry City Cemetery. There are not thought to have been any injuries.
Sporadic trouble continued for around two hours on Monday.
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton has called on the PSNI to investigate the parade.
"This was an unregistered parade and today the scenes coming from the Creggan area have been totally disgraceful," he said.
"People in paramilitary style uniform is wrong and the continued glorification of terrorism is abhorrent.
"Nobody has a desire to see the violence on display today, except for barbaric thugs intent on endangering life and property. The PSNI were there to protect the community - people who live in fear at displays and parades such as this one today.
"The Police have to be praised for the work they continue to do this weekend, as they uphold the law and thoroughly deal with illegal parades and displays of such a disturbing nature.
"Among those that were involved in hurling petrol bombs were young people.
"I hope the actions of all involved are investigated and those responsible feel the full weight of the law. The over-riding desire of many is to see events pass off peacefully and without any paramilitary trappings, unfortunately a minority in our communities are intent on creating destruction and fear.
"Again the demands of respect and equality from republicans ring hallow when there is little shown to those who uphold the law and work to keep communities safe. Those involved should not believe they are above the law."
On Saturday, police swooped on a similarly unlisted Republican Sinn Fein commemoration in Lurgan and arrested nine men.
Six men were charged with taking part in an unnotified procession and appeared in Lisburn Magistrates Court. One of the men was also charged with assault on police and a seventh was charged with obstructing police. Two other men were released on bail pending further enquiries.
In a statement the Derry 1916 committee asked republicans to join them in Creggan today "to send message to PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin that they will not be broken".
Earlier PSNI Chief Inspector Ivor Morton told the Belfast Telegraph that today’s operation would be "appropriate and proportionate should breaches of the law be detected" and that the Lurgan operation should not be used as an "indicator for elsewhere".
https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/police-attacked-with-petrol-bombs-at-illegal-dissident-republican-parade-in-londonderry-36766136.html
NWN: They haven't gone away you know. I bet the media doesn't show this here on the mainland.If you click the link, there are more pics and a video.
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