Boy, 14, arrested amid NI disorder
A 14-year-old boy has been arrested for riotous behaviour in Londonderry, as a police chief appeals for calm after a “challenging” 24 hours in which disorder broke out across Northern Ireland.
The teen was detained after crowds gathered and a van was hijacked and burnt out in the Free Derry Corner and Fahan Street area of the Bogside.
Police have also recovered a crate of petrol bombs in the city during violence which followed annual Twelfth of July celebrations on Tuesday.
Gangs also caused unrest in the Ardmore area Road of the Waterside and motorists were advised to avoid the Orchard Road area of Strabane due to public disorder.
Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said that, while the vast majority of parades right across Northern Ireland had passed off peacefully, the public disorder that has taken place in Belfast, Derry and other parts of Northern Ireland is “totally unacceptable”.
“The past 24 hours has been a very challenging time for communities and policing in Northern Ireland,” he said.
In Armagh, a large number of youths gathered in the Friary Road area shortly after 9pm were drinking and burning tyres.
Shortly after, a car was hijacked and burnt out in the Killylea Road area of the city.
Meanwhile in Ballymena’s Dunclug estate a car has also been set on fire.
Sinn Féin MLA for North Antrim Daithí McKay tweeted: “Cars being burnt in north end of Ballymena, hoax device earlier as well, only victims of this are those who live in these neighbourhoods.”
Earlier a gang of young people set a tyre on fire and threw stones in the Cowen Road area of Newry at around 6.30pm.
In Belfast, a gang of youths torched a parked car in Stewart Street and threw stones and other missiles at police.
Diversions were put in place at Oxford Street, May Street, Queen Elizabeth Bridge and East Bridge Street.
ACC Finlay said: “Whilst I commend the bravery and leadership of many within the community who worked tirelessly to reduce the disorder and calm tensions – we need everyone to keep working to build and maintain calm across all local areas.
“My colleagues are working around the clock to protect the community right across Northern Ireland and we have sufficient resources in place to do this.”
