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Football fans have united in their condemnation of the gangs responsible for the violent clashes that occurred in Londonderry on Friday night. The disturbances, which involved rival groups of fans, resulted in a teenage boy and a man in his 20s requiring hospital treatment after engaging in a brutal altercation using sticks, bats, and iron bars. An array of cars and property near the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium were also damaged as a result of the violence. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is actively working to identify those individuals involved in the chaos that unfolded on the Lecky Road and Lone Moor Road during the Derry City v Bohemians League of Ireland match, an incident determined to have been “pre-arranged” by authorities.
Michael Kerrigan, chairman of the Pride of Northside Derry City supporters’ club, expressed disgust at the violent actions carried out by those individuals, emphasizing that they were not representative of true football fans. Kerrigan mourned the disgraceful turn of events, particularly following the resounding success of the Foyle Cup just a week prior, which he hailed as a remarkable showcase for the city. The disorder persisted even during the match itself, forcing a temporary stoppage after a flare ignited the pitch, prompting fans to scatter amid exploding fireworks.
Brandywell resident Donna Brown detailed the frightening experience witnessed by herself and fellow neighbors as they attempted to chase the unruly crowd involved in the violent clashes. Brown highlighted the distressing nature of the situation, particularly for families with young children who were terrorized by the events unfolding in their vicinity. One emotional account relayed how a young child had to be relocated to his grandmother’s residence due to the fear instilled by the violence, with two neighboring cars sustaining damage during the turbulent ordeal.
The appalling incidents that transpired have prompted calls for greater accountability from football clubs, with politicians urging both Derry City and Bohemians to take stringent action against the gangs responsible for the violence. Sinn Féin MLA Ciara Ferguson emphasized the need for these clubs to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions and pave the way for justice to prevail. Similarly, SDLP MLA Mark H. Durkan, who bore witness to the distressing scenes outside the stadium, expressed dismay at the unruly behavior of certain individuals and reiterated the imperative for clubs to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future
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