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Petrol bombers attack police during dissident republican parade

Keiron Tourish & Gerry Bradley
BBC News NI
BBC Police officers stood in black riot gear, beside two white PSNI landrovers, there are flames visible on the groundBBC
Police came under attack as they monitored the parade from an area behind Derry Walls

Petrol bombers have attacked police monitoring a dissident republican parade in Londonderry led by about 50 people in paramilitary-style uniform.

Several devices were thrown at police on the Derry Walls as the parade made its way from Creggan to Free Derry Corner in the Bogside on Monday.

Fireworks were also thrown at the police, who had established a bank of Land Rovers at Nailors Row overlooking the Bogside. Part of the city's walls has now been closed to the public.

Two men, aged 30 and 55, were arrested after police stopped vehicles in Frances Street and in Fanad Drive following the parade.

Many of those in the parade wore paramilitary-style clothing, in contravention of a Parades Commission ruling.

The commission also ruled that flags relating to a proscribed organisation should not be displayed.

'Utterly shameful'

Shows people in black berets, face coverings, black tops, khaki trousers and black boots and black gloves marching on road followed by supporters
The Parades Commission had said that no paramilitary-style clothing should be worn at the Derry parade

Disorder developed in the area of Nailors Row at about 14:50 GMT, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

Petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry were thrown which resulted in nearby Bishop Street being closed for a time for public safety reasons and members of the public were diverted away from that area in the City Walls.

"Despite the claim by organisers of today's Easter Monday parade who said they wanted to hold a dignified commemoration, what we saw was the complete opposite," Supt Gillian Kearney said in a statement.

"This disorder involving young people was orchestrated.. We have no doubt about this."

Shows four police Land Rovers, one of which has scorch marks, and around 10 police officers in helmets
Bishop Street was closed for a time for public safety reasons

Young people were "shamelessly and deliberately used" in an attempt to "distract from and shield the masked individuals", she added.

"This is child criminal exploitation. It is utterly shameful."

A number of items were seized from a van that was stopped by police.

PSNI A black balaclava is sitting on a large bottle of liquid on the road.. Fireworks are lying next to them. The ground is wet.PSNI
The disorder "was orchestrated", police have said

Participants had also been told they should comply with the directions of the police.

It was the first time in three years that the organisers had asked for permission to stage the event, which has been marred by violence in the past.

Last year, petrol bombers attacked journalists and set a number of vehicles on fire.

The Parades Commission said it noted that, historically, there had been serious criminal offending associated with this parade.

It is organised by the National Republican Commemoration Committee, which organises events on behalf of the anti-agreement republican party Saoradh.

In the past, the police have linked the party to dissident republican group the New IRA.

Shows men and women in black tops, khaki trousers, dark sunglasses and face coverings marching and carrying flags.
Masked men and women in paramilitary-style uniforms lead the dissident republican parade through the Creggan area of Derry

Several bands accompanied the parade, which was commemorating the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin.

Following the parade, as part of a proactive policing operation, officers stopped two vehicles - one in the Frances Street area and one in the Fanad Drive area.

Two men, aged 30 and 55, were arrested under the Terrorism Act and have been taken to Musgrave Street Station for questioning.