HUNDREDS of people have taken part in a festival to highlight the positive aspects of Creggan.
Community leaders organised the one-day event at Central Drive in Creggan just yards from the scene of the murder of Lyra McKee on Thursday, April 18.
The 29-year-old journalist and author was shot dead by a New IRA gunman who opened fire on police during a riot in Fanad Drive after PSNI raids in search of a dissident republican explosives haul .
The Creggan area became the focus of renewed media attention when IRA signs were erected threatening action against anyone who cooperated with police investigating the death.
Most of the signs were quickly removed after community leaders intervened to have them replaced by community murals.
The area again became the focus of negative media attention last weekend following public order offences following the funeral of teenager Caoimhin Cassidy whose body was found in a burning vehicle which crashed in the Creggan.
Community representatives, who organised “Creggan Day” said recent events did not reflect the true spirit of the area.
Mayor Michaela Boyle said the fun day was important for the community to come together.
“It’s a fantastic event,” she said.
“This shows the true light and the spirit of the people within the community of Creggan. Of late they have had a bad press, but this, today, is what the people of Creggan are all about.
“Everyone from the very young to the very old are enjoying it and I hope that this sends a strong message.
“Creggan is about the people, about support, about community coherence and cohesion, and that is evident here today.”
Mrs Boyle said the positive energy in Creggan showed that the community didn’t want to go back to the dark days of the past.
“What has happened over the course of the last few weeks and months with the death of Lyra, today shows that people don’t want to go back to those days,” she said.
“That those who were responsible for Lyra’s death are very tiny minority and have no support here. And the people here don’t want their name and the good name of Creggan attached to those mindless acts.”
