Police in Londonderry have said they saw signs of youths preparing petrol bombs before an unauthorised republican parade in the city on Monday. Led by about a dozen masked individuals in paramilitary-style attire, the parade passed through the Creggan area, where a van was set ablaze and drivers were advised to avoid the area. The local commander for Derry City and Strabane, Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, confirmed in a statement that had police not been present, petrol bombs may have been thrown at them.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has noted in a statement that those involved in throwing petrol bombs had scattered before the force had been able to respond. In addition to this, social media had reported on strange sightings of petrol bombs thrown towards journalists. The Derry 1916 Committee had sponsored the parade, which was in reflection of the 1916 Easter Rising occurring that year. During the parade, a drone – flown above the event – had warned parade-goers that they were participating in an event that had not been officially approved.
Furthermore, the event was organized in conjunction with the Saoradh organization, which the police had previously confirmed, is affiliated with the New IRA – a group that recently threatened to blow-up a post-Brexit lorry park in Belfast. Kearney was also observed saying that young people participating in this parade was both “incredibly sad” and “disheartening”; urging caution when exposing them to politically irresponsible campaigns by organizations such as the New IRA.
In the past, republican parades through Creggan have often resulted in violent behaviour from attendees. In 2023, police were targeted there in a petrol bomb attack. The previous year, there were also incidents of violence after an Easter parade in the same area. Colm Eastwood, the leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) criticised the violence, saying: “Those responsible for this only want to drag us back.” He went on to say that Derry wants to bask in peace and have nothing to do with those who want to create mayhem
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