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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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Unfair blaming of young people for former Foyle College arson incident challenged. (PHOTO: Christy Tarr)
The suspected arson attack which caused extensive damage to the former Foyle College building on Derry’s Duncreggan Road has been condemned by Cllr Grace Uí Niallais.
The PSNI received a report at 9.20pm on Saturday, July 19, that the building had been set alight. Roads were closed in the area while NI Fire and Rescue personnel battled the blaze.
Speaking at Derry City and Strabane District Council’s July plenary on Wednesday afternoon, Cllr Uí Niallais said the “needless fire and destruction of the old Foyle College building” was “a complete reminder of the fragility of our built heritage, especially heritage buildings which are lying derelict”.
“I was on the scene on the night and would like to commend the fire service who worked at the site,” she added. “It is just a shame that more of the building wasn't able to be saved.
“This house was originally built for William Tilly of Tilly and Henderson in 1869 at the height of the industrial revolution. It was an absolutely stunning building.
“And these buildings that are lying derelict, they are vulnerable to weather, They are vulnerable to destruction. It is a shame that it happened,” said Cllr Uí Niallais.
Speaking on the same issue, Cllr Paul Gallagher (Independent) took issue with a politician interviewed on local radio who attributed the fire to “young people”.
“I think it was a terrible indictment on a politician to blame young people when there was absolutely no evidence whatsoever that it was young people,” said Cllr Gallagher.
“And when we find a lot of these historic buildings that have previously gone on fire in this city, it has been to the benefit of developers, not young people engaging in and so-called anti-social behavior and setting fires.
“[They had] no evidence but blamed a certain group in our society for responsibility without without any any evidence whatsoever.
“I am just saying, on the radio, we should be challenging when something happens and it's young people [being blamed] without any evidence.”
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