Footage posted online of police keeping rival traveller families apart on Saturday
Two loaded shotguns, ammunition, knives, blades and a liquid believed to be acid were all removed by police from the cemetery at St Mary’s Church in Park.
The haul was found during a pre-planned search.
And the items were uncovered just before the arrival of up to 200 members of the travelling community on Saturday morning.
It is understood some were there for the re-dedication of a family grave, but people from another family also arrived and existing tensions between both sides soon escalated.
A heavy police presence had been in place all morning, which included a helicopter, and officers wielding batons moved quickly to prevent further violence.
Sinn Fein’s Sean McGlinchey described the brawl as “disgraceful” and praised the actions of police.
He said: “If it wasn’t for the police there would have been a bloodbath in this graveyard, I have no doubt of that.”
He praised the heavy security presence, as “the disgraceful scenes that went on at St Mary’s graveyard were quickly brought under control”.
“Churches, chapels and places where we lay our dead to rest should be respected by everyone, and every weekend families come to this graveyard to tend to the graves of their loved ones,” he said. “The actions of the mob that was there was disgraceful and an insult to families of everyone who has a loved one buried there.”
Neither of the parish priests was available yesterday but Fr Michael Canny, spokesman for the Derry Diocese, said: “Cemeteries are places of rest for our dead, but they should also be places of tranquillity for those who visit there.
“I would encourage those involved to resolve their issues by peaceful means and commend the PSNI for their vigilance in preventing injury and possible death.”
Chief Inspector Alan Hutton said: “We were aware of community tensions in the area ahead of a planned event on Saturday.
“It was necessary for officers to intervene and use minimal force including the use of their batons, given the number of people involved.
“Police enquiries into the incident are ongoing,” added the senior PSNI officer.
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