Derry politicians footage in relation to a “savage attack” in the Waterside area of the city.
Video circulating online allegedly shows two boys being set upon by a gang of youths.
One is seen being punched and kicked as he’s sitting down while another is repeatedly pounded with a garden table as he lies on the ground.
Waterside Sinn Féin Councillor Christopher Jackson has called for calm after a sectarian attack in Nelson Drive led to a number of disturbances in the Waterside area over the weekend.
Cllr Jackson said: “The sectarian attack in which two young men were viciously beaten in the Nelson Drive area on Saturday night was appalling and I would urge anyone with information about who was responsible to bring it forward.
“There can be no place for sectarianism and such attacks in this society but neither can there be any justification for the subsequent disturbances which took place throughout the wider Top of the Hill area on Sunday.
“The people of this community do not want further violence or for any more young people to be caught up in such incidents.
“Now is the time for calm and to allow the proper authorities to get on with their job of bringing those responsible for the attack to justice.”
SDLP Foyle MLA Mark H Durkan said: “Sickened by what I’ve seen circulating on social media – two young fellas being set upon by a gang in a savage attack.
“It’s being reported that this was a sectarian attack and has the potential to light the fuse on a situation that has been simmering in the Waterside for some time.
“It is important that peace prevails and no retaliation is sought. Inevitably innocent people will get hurt or even worse – as I watched the video I could not help but think of my old schoolmate Paul McCauley, who died as the result of a sectarian attack in the Waterside nearly 20 years ago.
“I hope the two boys who were attacked make a swift recovery from their physical injuries and the undoubted psychological impact that such trauma can bring.
“Anyone with information about the attack should bring it to the police and those responsible must be apprehended.”
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