Three nights of disturbances in the Galliagh area of Londonderry, including an arson attack on a electricity sub-station, during which police have been attacked with petrol bombs and other items, have been blamed on a “hardcore” element by the PSNI.
A “youth worker” in the same BBC report concurs
Mr Connolly said: “It’s clearly been totally anti-social vandalism – no motive behind it all all – and people can use the excuse of a bonfire but it’s got nothing to do with a bonfire.”
And the Sinn Féin MLA, and noted plagiarist, Raymond McCartney has taken time off from his legal musings to also agree
…Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney said he had visited the area in recent nights and agreed with Mr Connolly that the violence was “opportunistic”.
“There is absolutely no doubt that there are a number of anti-social elements who used the opportunity to simply visit wanton destruction and violence on the PSNI and on ordinary citizens driving through the Glengalliagh road, he said.
But the Irish Times report has some interesting background
The disturbances appear to be in response to the removal of material for a bonfire planned for Galliagh on August 15th. According to local SDLP councillor, Jimmy Carr, the annual bonfire is a long-standing tradition.
Last year, trouble erupted at the bonfire, including anti-social behaviour and allegations of a sexual assault. Recent talks between community representatives, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the PSNI broke down, before a decision was made to clear away debris. [added emphasis]
“I sympathise with both sides,” Mr Carr said. “I can see why many of the older residents want any bonfire to be properly policed and regulated, because of last year’s trouble. I also sympathise with the young people in the area who want to keep up the tradition and feel that’s being denied them.”
The PSNI said it was the council who had removed the debris, “after consultation with the local community”.
A few questions arise. Such as who exactly were involved in those talks, and what were they about? And why did those talks “break down”?
Adds As Nevin notes below, a Derry Journal report from Friday 20 July states
A meeting was held earlier this week between residents, the Housing Executive, the PSNI, youth agency Off The Streets, Community Restorative Justice and local councillors in order to find a way forward.
Following that meeting a spokesperson for the HE said they “would respect the real concerns of the residents and make every reasonable effort to remove the bonfire material gathered on the site.”
Although, the Housing Executive District Manager, Eddie Doherty, is also quoted describing that meeting as “positive”…
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AU
Are you saying that republicans from Unity Walk were not allowed to object to loyalist parades?
andnowwhat, I don’t know any threat posed by Loyalists to be honest. Mainstream on ceasefire and decommissioned. We’ve seen whats happening in Republican areas now that the Provos been beaten into submission where as the Loyalist paramilitaries have maintained a presence and hence why there is no “Loyalist Action Against Drugs” nonsense.
Broc,
I have never condemned the OO. But times change. For generations we celebrated bull and bear baiting, cock fighting, bullfighting (still in a few places), public hangings etc.
I don’t know what point your trying to make regards recruiting? Neither the UVF or UDA have officially stood down as far as I am aware. I would like to know what evidence you have of Loyalist Paramilitaries drug dealing also?
Oh yes…Short Strand again constant bricks block bottles and fireworks thrown at pensioners houses so the local UVF decided to tackle the matter. And yes, the Short Strand sniper was an excellent shot shooting that journo. It was the PSNI who intervened and then the residents attacked them…need I say more
The OO have more rights than they are entitled to. They have also abused those rights.
All we are doing is bringing things in to balance, bit by bit. As someone who was jumped on for walking between lodges, back in the 80’s, I ask you, what right do you think you have to do that Broc?
You have no business entering a parade. End of.
What right do republicans have to shout horrendous abuse at passing Junior Orangemen, Orange women, senior Orangemen or Band members when on parade, not to mention the bricks and bottles…
Broc.
I personally know that the UDA were recruiting last year. I know a kid that joined up and met his mate who also joined. The latter died due to the depression the drugs brought upon him.
SF (according to Jim Wilson, no less) personally went to the cops and gave them the names of nationalists who were attacking local unionists. Take it up with the peelers.
You talk of the sniper but what of the loyalist that almost shot a police woman on that very night and hit a police Landrover?
It was a short that went off and hit the press photographer. Some dick clearly didn’t put the safety on.
So concerned are the UVF about the local people that they painted over a mural dedicated with the Glens with a dark mural of men in masks with guns. That’s great for the chidren.
Broc,
My car belonged to my public employer and I was called out on an emergency. Are you seriously saying that I had no right to access my car but would have had to wait for hours to let the parade pass?
Broc
The nationalist/republican community became intolerant of their neighbours and they owe 40 years never mind 5.
We as nationalists could add a few hundred onto your 40… 🙂 🙂
Joe, there are designated breaks in any parade but you appear to have been too blinded by your Orange bashing to have thought of that. Perhaps if you had of stood and watched for a while it would of done you some good or at least widened your horizons.
Broc.
You should retract that. Joe is no OO basher and you’re making a fool of yourself by saying he is.
Broc
hence why there is no “Loyalist Action Against Drugs” nonsense
That would be to , pardon the pun, shoot one’s self in the foot… 🙂 🙂
And if the emergency had been your house on fire with your children trapped upstairs? Broc, I am now believing that you are simply a troll. Nuff said.
andnowwhat, I never suggested it was law, but you had no business being in a parade nonetheless.
The UDA recruiting is not something I personally see as a bad thing, especially if it keeps areas under control and prevents rioting as seen in Londonderry.
I know exactly which murals you are talking about, and I do agree it was a decision that was poorly made. Perhaps the tact taken in Sandy Row was a better idea.
Mister_Joe a troll I am not and unlike you any point I bring up I will discuss, unlike your Paul Quinn statement earlier which was unrelate to anything mentioned before or since. For the record andnowwhat I shall not be retracting anything.
Broc
The UDA recruiting is not something I personally see as a bad thing
What a statement. The British government has always believed that. And look where that strategy has gotten us!
It’s funny that loyalists wanted rid of the provos, but would retain their own terrorists for a later date. The Orange Order is the central pin to this retention…