Sectarian Attacks - Derry GAA supporters stoned again

SF MLA Caitríona Ruane has urged the removal of sectarian graffiti

In a weekend of sectarian attacks, Derry GAA supporters had a lucky escape after a bus and car were stoned by loyalists as they returned from Croke Park, two Catholic schoolboys were assaulted in West Belfast and drunken loyalist bandsmen chased a group of young nationalists in Dunmurry.

Derry

On Sunday night 29 August, a family had a lucky escape after their car was attacked at traffic lights in the loyalist Newbuildings area, just outside Derry City.

The Derry GAA supporters were returning from the All-Ireland semi-final between Derry and Kerry. No one was injured in the sectarian attack, although a car window was smashed.

One of those targeted said he was sitting in the back seat of the car as they approached Newbuildings. "I told my son to time his driving through the village so that we would not have to stop at any red lights. When the lights changed to green a loyalst youth came out and threw a brick at the car, smashing the window."

A bus carrying supporters back to the city was also stoned by loyalists, the second such incident in recent weeks.

Belfast

Two Catholic schoolboys needed hospital treatment after they were beaten around the head by a loyalist youth wielding a brick. The attack happened outside shops on the Stewartstown Road in West Belfast on Thursday 26 August.

Patrick McAllister (14) and his 13-year-old friend Stephen Hawkins, from Lagmore, said their attackers came from the direction of the loyalist Blacks Road area.

"There were four of them but only one attacked us. He just called me an ugly wee bastard and started hitting me. Patrick came to help and then he was attacked. He hit both of us with the brick before running off towards the shops," said Hawkins.

McAllister recieved several staples to a head wound.

Patrick's mother Roisín said she couldn't believe the loyalist who beat the children walked unhindered into the store after the sectarian attack. "The security outside the shops needs to be tightened. Something needs to be done to improve safety there. As far as we are concerned this was sectarian."

Dunmurry

Drunken loyalist bandsmen chased a group of nationalist youths when they returned to Dunmurry train station after an Apprentice Boys march in Derry on Saturday 14 August.

Members of the loyalist Queensway Flute Band marched along Dunmurry Lane towards the village before chasing the group of frightened nationalist teenagers through Dunmurry. The drunken loyalists then made their way to a public house.

Lagan Valley Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Butler said those involved had a lucky escape.