Sectarian attacks on Catholic taxi drivers in Derry

Catholic taxi drivers are being singled out for attack by a loyalist gang in the Waterside area of Derry. In the latest in a series of eight recent attacks, a woman driver was attacked in the early hours of Sunday morning 23 November.

The woman, who works for Foyle Taxis, was leaving two passengers home at around 2.45am, when a man, stepped out on to a zebra crossing near the Rossdowney Road junction, and lobbed a block at her car.

The frightened driver said: "This is the fourth attack on my car now. Recently I was verbally abused by youths in the Waterside, who then lobbed a large rubbish bin at my car after.

"A bottle also struck the vehicle in the summer on the Carlisle Road but the latest attack was much more serious and frightening."

Seven other attacks in the area are believed to be linked. A second Foyle taxi driver was attacked the same night. A third Cityside-based taxi driver came forward this week to say he was attacked and his windscreen was broken.

"A man wearing a Rangers scarf aimed a block straight for my face. It made a hole in the windscreen before bouncing to the ground. I have no doubt that I was attacked because of the taxi firm I was working for," he said.

Joe Devenney, Foyle Taxis proprietor, said he was disappointed that his drivers were being attacked in the Waterside.

"Two of our drivers with the Foyle Taxi sign on the roof were singled out and attacked on Sunday morning in the Waterside," he said.

The woman driver added: "All taxi drivers should feel safe and secure in all areas of the city, regardless of religion or the taxi office they operate from and the sign on the roof should be there to advertise our office and for the convenience of our clients and not to mark us as easy targets."