'Disgraceful' scenes condemned after violence erupts in Derry

Violent clashes before and after Derry City's game against Bohemians last night have been condemned.

Violence erupted in the Bogside area of Derry before kick-off after a gang of masked youths, who travelled to the city for the League of Ireland clash, attacked local residents armed with weapons. Cars and property were also damaged.

The PSNI said they are investigating public disorder in the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road areas.

Police said that shortly after 7pm on Friday evening, they were made aware of two large groups of rival football supporters in the area attacking each other near the Lecky Road flyover with sticks, bats and iron bars and causing damage to buildings and cars parked in the area.

A teenage boy and a man aged in his 20’s sustained injuries as a result of this incident and were taken to hospital for treatment.

Further disorder then occurred in the vicinity of the Brandywell stadium during and after a football match which was taking place. Officers were in attendance and worked along with stadium staff to bring the disorder under control.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Superintendent William Calderwood said: “We believe that the disorder we witnessed on Friday evening was pre-arranged and we will be reviewing all available footage to identify those involved.

"I would ask anyone with information or footage which could assist us with our enquiries to contact officers at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference number 1637 25/07/25.

"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

The match was also briefly suspended after a flare was thrown from outside the ground onto the pitch.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan, who was at the match, condemned the trouble.

He said: “It is disgusting and disgraceful that so many football fans and families left the match in fear tonight due to violent clashes that occurred outside in what had all the hallmarks of an organised attack.

“Thugs came to Derry masked and armed with an array of weapons.

“Local young people were injured - I hope they recover swiftly. This madness must stop before someone is killed.

“It is awful that after what has been such a tremendously positive week for the city through the Foyle Cup, this is what will hit the headlines tomorrow.

“I must commend the efforts of the stewards in the Brandywell who did their very best in extremely difficult circumstances.”

Sinn Fein MLA Padraig Delargy said “so-called supporters from Dublin” attacked local people.

“The sight of masked youths armed with an array of weapons, and fighting in the streets before turning on the PSNI was terrifying for local residents, including children, who witnessed this appalling violence,” he said.

“In what seems to have been be a pre-arranged attack connected to a football match at the Brandywell, the violence erupted when so-called football supporters from Dublin attacked local youths as well as cars and property belonging to residents.

"That is disgraceful and the violence that took place on our streets needs to be condemned.

"It threatened the safety and well-being of local residents and stands in stark contrast to the fantastic work that is going on in the area through the Féile and the redevelopment of Meenan Square.”

Both clubs and Derry and Strabane District Council have been approached for comment.