Appeal for Calm After Londonderry Violence
Church leaders have issued an appeal for calm following violent incidents in Londonderry. Police believe that children as young as 10 were involved and that paramilitary groups may have orchestrated the unrest.
Catholic Bishop Donal McKeown and the Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe spoke after visiting the predominantly Protestant Fountain estate on Wednesday night, where homes had been attacked the previous evening.
Two boys, aged 13 and 14, were arrested in connection with disturbances on nearby Bishop Street, during which police officers were targeted with petrol bombs and other missiles.
Concerns Raised by Church Leaders
Bishop Forster commented on the situation, stating:
"If there are people orchestrating it they really need to look at themselves and to the children who are involved."
He described visiting the interface area and speaking with residents, expressing sympathy for those affected by the violence.
"We went up to where the interface is and spoke to some of the residents there and my heart went out to them because if you are living with projectiles, missiles coming over the fence landing in your garden it's incredibly dangerous and it's very intimidating," he told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.
Community Unity and Fear of Escalation
Bishop Forster emphasized the need for the community to unite against the violence.
"We need to put ourselves in the position of those who are feeling frightened and afraid and respond accordingly," he said.
He also expressed concerns about the fragile state of community relations.
"I do fear at times because, you know, community relations... I wouldn't say that it's a knife edge but it's a delicate balance, it's a delicate thing and it's easy for that balance to be tipped and incidents like this can tip a balance that moves us away from good community response."
Bishop McKeown added his perspective on the impact on young people.
"Nobody wants to have young people scarred by the burden of their pasts. We have enough people like that in the city already.
So I hope that together as a city united we can say 'look this is not good enough'."
Police Response and Investigation
The two teenage boys arrested have been released on bail pending further inquiries by police.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) reported that the area remained calm on Wednesday night, with no recurrence of the previous evening's disturbances.
Ch Supt Gillian Kearney, the city's police commander, indicated concerns that paramilitary groups may have been involved in organizing the disorder on Tuesday.
She explained that multiple factors contributed to the unrest.
"There are a number of factors that are contributing to this, the longer nights and the fact that we are seeing a number of sectarian incidents happening across the district."
Paramilitary involvement remains a line of inquiry.
"We will see further arrests in relation to the disorder," Kearney added.
She also assured that a visible police presence would continue in the community.
