Two boys in court for rioting - couple forced from car by hooded thugs

Two boys have appeared in court after a week of rioting in Londonderry, with thugs having forced yet another couple from their car before burning it out.
Police Land Rovers on stand-by outside the Galliagh area early this morning (Photo:Cop/vosa watch Derry).Police Land Rovers on stand-by outside the Galliagh area early this morning (Photo:Cop/vosa watch Derry).
Police Land Rovers on stand-by outside the Galliagh area early this morning (Photo:Cop/vosa watch Derry).

Three nights of serious violence began following the death of former SDLP leader John Hume on Monday.

DUP Deputy Mayor Graham Warke said the most obvious sign that the trouble was orchestrated was the fact that the hijackings began right across the city on Tuesday within the space of an hour.

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On Thursday night a couple were subjected to a terrifying ordeal when they were confronted by thugs at Elaghmore Park.

Just before midnight, police said, two males with hoods pulled over their faces approached a parked silver BMW car and demanded that the man and woman inside get out. They then drove off and set it alight in the Carnhill area.

Police have appealed for information on tel 101.

Just over an hour later a dozen police Land Rovers were poised just outside the Galliagh estate in case of trouble. According to local sources, the Land Rovers moved towards the estate and filmed crowds of young people with a roof-top camera, but did not move in, as no rioting developed on this occasion.

SDLP Mayor Brian Tierney, who lives in Galliagh, said he had been on the streets every night since Tuesday attempting to keep things calm.

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“I was out again on Thursday night but thankfully things were much better although I am preparing to go out again in the nights to come,” he said.

There is ongoing anti-social behaviour surrounding the site of a planned Feast of the Assumption bonfire on August 15 in Galliagh, he said.

Two boys, aged 15 and 14, appeared in Londonderry Magistrates Court yesterday where they were charged with rioting, and attempting to damage a PSNI Land Rover. The younger was also charged with throwing a petrol bomb. Both were remanded on bail to appear again on August 21.

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