A planned ‘protest’ which erupted into violence, went ahead yesterday evening in the Ballysally area of Coleraine despite local community and political representatives calling for it to be cancelled – amid the announcement of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
At first a small number of what appeared to be youths gathered with their faces covered and set up a barricade in the middle of the Atlantic Road, before setting by it alight.
With the crowds of individuals increasing police shut the road at either end before increasing their presence on the ground, with a number of police land rovers moving in.
Police came under attack from a section of the crowd, who threw stones and bricks at officers and their vehicles.
North Area Commander, Chief Superintendent Davy Beck said: “The senseless disorder we saw unfold in a residential area in Coleraine has achieved nothing but leave people petrified in their homes. Such reckless criminal activity has only served to harm the local community by those who deliberately chose to engage in such disorder.
“Thankfully, none of our officers were injured as a result of the attacks, however, some of our vehicles did sustain damage, and that damage is currently being assessed.
“I want to make a direct appeal to parents, guardians and community leaders to use their influence to ensure we do not see a repeat of such ugly scenes. This is not wanted by anyone and does not represent the local community who we know just want to live in peace.
“I want to reassure the community that we will continue to work to keep people safe and those who engaged in last night’s disorder should be warned that an investigation is underway and evidence gathered will now be reviewed and those identified will face the full rigour of the law.”
The feeling from concerned residents and further afield who took to social media was mostly negative, calling for an end to the violence, many asking parents to check where their children might be.
Local MLA Claire Sugden called the scenes “shameful” before going on to say that they were, “nothing more than anti social behaviour & attention seeking – which is sad in itself.
“Clearly, bad behaviour of a few & not representative of Coleraine.
“Go home before you get a record ruining your own life & those around you.”
Local SDLP MLA also called the scenes “shameful”, saying: “This reckless violence does not reflect the warm and welcoming people of Coleraine.
“I must reiterate that both political & community leaders must continue to call out this destructive and divisive behaviour.”
Several local councillors have also condemned last nights scenes, with independent Councillor Stephanie Quigley saying: “Heavy hearted tonight to see this in the town I have lived in for over 50 years.
“I grew up on an estate with neighbours from all different backgrounds and we lived in peace and respected each other’s cultures.”
There has now been eight nights of violence and upwards of 74 police officers injured across the province – including the Tigers Bay area in Belfast on Friday night.
The PSNI Chief Superintendent for the area, Muir Clarke, said: “We would appeal for calm in the area and ask anyone who has any influence in communities, please use that influence to ensure young people do not get caught up in criminality and that they are kept safe and away from harm tonight.”
