‘Criminals masquerading as republicans should get off the backs of Currynierin community’ - Jackson

Armed men who fired shots in the Currynierin area at the weekend have been condemned.

Footage emerged on social media of three masked men taking part in a so-called ‘show of strength’ in the estate on Sunday night.

The footage shows three masked men armed with handguns and an automatic weapon. Two of the men are holding a flag with Oglaigh na hÉireann wrote on it.

Police are investigating the incident.

As a line of enquiry, into the report made shortly before 11pm on Sunday, January 11 detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland's Serious Crime Branch made an arrest and seized a vehicle on Tuesday, January 13 when a 31-year-old man was arrested following a search of a property in the Claudy area and subsequently released on bail to allow for further police enquiries to be conducted.

Police continue to conduct reassurance patrols of the area and, as part of the police investigation, enquiries also include vehicle check points, house-to-house enquiries and checking CCTV.

Today, separately, Thursday, January 15 police received a report of a video circulating of shots being fired, and are making enquiries in relation to this to establish if it is linked to the report made on Sunday, January 11.

Police are appealing to anyone with information, or who may have relevant footage, to contact them on 101, quoting reference 1489 of 11/01/26 or reference 191 of 15/01/26.

Information can also be provided online via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org

A spokesperson for Currynierin Community Association condemned the incident, saying the bringing of weapons into the area was causing "deep concern" for residents.

"The Currynierin Community Association wishes to express its deep concern and absolute condemnation of recent incidents involving masked individuals bringing weapons onto the streets of our community," the spokesperson said.

"Let us be clear: this behaviour is not wanted, it is not supported, and it has no place in Currynierin. Those responsible do not represent this community, its residents, or its values. They are not welcome here.

"Currynierin is home to families, children, older people, and residents who deserve to feel safe in their own streets. The presence of masked men and weapons creates fear, anxiety, and risk, particularly for young people and vulnerable residents. This reckless behaviour undermines years of hard work by local people and organisations who have been committed to building a safer, more positive community.

"Violence belongs to the past. Our community has paid a heavy price for conflict, intimidation, and coercion, and we will not allow those dark chapters to be revisited. Progress has been made through dialogue, cooperation, and respect, not through threats or displays of force.

"We call on those involved to stay out of Currynierin and to cease all activity that endangers residents or disrupts community life. We also urge anyone with influence over those responsible to make it clear that this behaviour is unacceptable and must stop immediately.

"Currynierin Community Association will continue to work with residents, statutory agencies, and community partners to promote safety, peace, and positive engagement, particularly through our Community Safety Forum.

"We encourage anyone with concerns to report them through the appropriate channels and to support efforts that strengthen, rather than harm, our community.

"Currynierin deserves peace, safety, and a future free from fear or intimidation. We’ve come too far as a community and society to be dragged back by actions such as these."

Local Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson described the masked men as "criminals masquerading as republicans".

Cllr Jackson said: “Those responsible for this are nothing more than criminals masquerading as republicans.

“They have nothing to offer the people of this area but fear and intimidation and should get off the backs of the local community.

“I have been inundated with concerns from local residents who are angered because these people in no way reflect them or their estate.

“What is even more frustrating is the fact that the council is on the verge of securing significant new investment in Currynierin to improve the lives of the people who live there.

“We won’t allow those with a destructive agenda to derail that work but it also underlines the stark contrast between those who want Currynierin to thrive and those who want to drag it back to the past.”

SDLP Waterside councillor Sean Mooney condemned masked gunmen who fired shots in the Currynerin area of Derry on Sunday night.

Cllr Mooney said: “These were disgraceful scenes that have no place in our communities. They hark back to our dark past and the people of the Currynerin area do not want to see this kind of incident on their doorsteps.

“Footage of masked gunmen firing shots has understandably caused fear and concern across the area and the wider city. Those involved have nothing to offer our community and will not be allowed to intimidate people who are simply trying to get on with their lives.

“The presence of a firearm is deeply worrying and it is vital that it is taken off our streets before anyone is seriously hurt. I would urge anyone with information to come forward to the police so those responsible can be held accountable.”