Republican News · Thursday 20 June 2002

Trouble in Derry City

Foyle Sinn Féin Assembly member Mary Nelis has accused loyalists of seeking to increase sectarian tensions in Derry.

She was speaking after another weekend marred by sectarian attacks, which included a pipe bomb attack on a nationalist home, stone throwing incidents and the serious assault of a member of the Pat Finucane Centre who was working with CRJ to calm tensions by loyalists.

"Sectarianism, wherever it originates from, has to be confronted. As an Irish republican, I will do all in my power to challenge sectarianism wherever it arises. I will meet with the residents of the Fountain, Bishop Street and surrounding streets to do that.

"However, it has to be said that there appears to be elements within this city intent on increasing sectarian tensions. Events in and around the Fountain at the weekend demonstrate this. The throwing of a pipe bomb into Harding Street from the Fountain on Sunday morning, and the presence of large numbers of loyalists, from outside the area, in the estate on Sunday afternoon suggests loyalist elements are intent on increasing tensions in the city.

"Community Restorative Justice were on the streets of the city centre on Sunday in order to prevent clashes after the Ireland match. I commend them for that. Their thanks was that a member of the PFC working with them was assaulted by loyalists who were not even from the Fountain. It is obvious that they were intent in instigating sectarian violence on Sunday, and had no interest in calming tensions.

"Their involvement on Sunday fits into the pattern of loyalist elements across the North, and particularly in Belfast, of raising tensions. We must ensure their efforts are frustrated in Derry."