Masked youths with petrol bombs in Derry on Easter Tuesday
It happened as several hundred people attended a dissident republican parade in Creggan.
A van was set alight and a petrol bomb was thrown at the feet of a journalist. Fireworks and missiles were also thrown at assembled journalists.
Police have said the march was illegal, with a dozen men marching in paramilitary-style uniforms.
SDLP Foyle MLA and Policing Board member Mark H Durkan condemned the violence.
“I express solidarity with the journalists that were attacked, others that had property destroyed and the Creggan community at large, who once again have suffered at the hands of a small number determined to cause disruption and destruction,” he said.
Mr Durkan said the most “distressing and depressing” element was the involvement of children and young people.
“Young people and not so young people who feel left behind by the peace process who are being exploited by these groups for their own nefarious purposes,” he said.
“These people want to drag us back to the past, we can’t allow this.”
Mr Durkan said that the attacks on journalists have come just five years after the killing of Lyra McKee in the Creggan.
“That would have been very much in people’s minds, it certainly would have been very much on the journalists’ minds.
Masked youths gather in Derry with crates of petrol bombs. Pix by North West News Pix
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson said the violence was “outrageous and totally unacceptable”.
“Journalists should be able to do their job free from threats and intimidation, and likewise the community should not have to put up with this destruction outside their homes,” she said.
“This reckless activity is not representative of this city and is in stark contrast to the hugely positive work that is being done to continue with the positive transformation of the city.”
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said young people had been exploited by those who “hide behind the scenes and give orders”.
“What we could have seen yesterday as a result of their behaviour is further loss of life or serious injury so it’s deeply concerning, particularly given the young ages of those involved.”
Speaking about the exploitation of children in the violence, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “This is grooming and exploitation.
“It has no place in any community at any time.”
UUP leader Doug Beattie described the violence as “appalling and depressing” but not surprising.
“There’ll be lots of talk about what the police should have done, could have done,” he said.
“I will not even attempt to tell the police how to do policing. But I do have to say we can’t allow this to continue and allow a young generation to be corrupted in such a way.”
Séamus Dooley from the National Union of Journalists said he had spoken to and received messages from members of the press who were at the parade.
“This is a public event, it is vital for photographers and reporters to record such events and do their work,” he said.
“Just as it is important that frontline workers and the PSNI are allowed to do theirs.”
Mr Dooley said the views of those involved in the violence are not representative of Creggan.
“The notion of petrol bombs being carried by young people and a bomb landing beside a journalist is frankly terrifying,” he added.
“We thought we were passed that.”
Police said youths seen preparing petrol bombs also took part in the parade along Central Drive.
Derry district police commander Chief Supt Gillian Kearney said it was “sad and disheartening” to see young people involved.
“Using young people in this way, risking their safety and encouraging them to engage in criminality is reprehensible.”
At about 7.30 pm missiles were thrown at a fire appliance sent to the area to deal with rubbish that had been set on fire across a road at Creggan Heights.
The appliance was not damaged, but turned back, left the area and police went to the scene, according to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service.
The parade started at 2 pm at Creggan shops before making its way to the City Cemetery.
The event was organised by the Derry 1916 Committee, which is supported by the Saoradh organisation, considered by the police to be linked to the New IRA.
The PSNI said it was also aware of reports on social media that petrol bombs had been thrown at members of the press.
A police helicopter observed the event and a drone flying overhead relayed a message reminding participants that the gathering was “unnotified”.
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