Bloody Sunday march participants attacked

Some of those returning from the Bloody Sunday commemoration in Derry on Sunday were taken from a train near Coleraine and brutally attacked by the PSNI police.

The Irish Republican Socialist Party spokesperson Martin McMonagle described an incident on board the Derry to Belfast train on Sunday as “outrageous, blatant sectarianism”.

He said that in “a very dramatic and dangerous situation”, a large number of passengers had been forced from the train by the PSNI, including women and children.

Members of the IRSP were injured, suffering a broken arm and the effects of CS gas spray, following the “unprovoked” attack.

“No reason was given, the PSNI simply entered the train in riot gear and before speaking immediately launched a savage attack on our members, supporters and others in the carriage,” he said.

The incident reportedly began when the conductor on board the train learned that the victims had just attended the march in Derry. Prior to this the conductor had engaged in friendly chat, but according to those present, his demeanor immediately changed when he found out where they had been.

Events then turned sinister.

“In scenes reminiscent of times gone by the PSNI were waiting in large numbers at Coleraine for the train to come to a halt in a blatant set-piece situation,” said Mr McMonagle.

“Accounts given to the IRSP indicate that there were between sixteen and twenty PSNI landrovers parked up around the train station in Coleraine with their blue lights flashing.

“When the train came to a halt the PSNI immediately began attacking all those on the carriage using implements such as extendable batons and CS gas spray.”

After forcing the passengers onto the street in Coleraine, a number were arrested, with the others forced to make their own way home.

Fearing for their personal safety after being abandoned in a strange town, the passengers managed to get to a safe area in the town and from there managed to obtain lifts and taxis.

Mr McMonagle called on Sinn Fein Minister Conor Murphy to launch an an inquiry into the events and to take actions to prevent a repeat.

LURGAN TROUBLE

Elsewhere, there were clashes between the PSNI police and republican youths in Lurgan on Saturday following what the PSNI said was a security alert.

Lake Street in the town was closed, while the Antrim Road was cordoned off at the train crossing during the clashes.

Plastic bullets were fired at knots of youths as the PSNI made their way into the strongly nationalist area. It is understood one youth received a leg injury. Six armoured vehicles were damaged with paint bombs and other missiles.

The clashes lasted for three hours before the PSNI withdrew.

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