POLICE IN THE North say that rioters in Derry tried to murder them last night.
Disorder broke out in the city for the sixth night in a row last night, this time in the Bogside area.
The trouble broke out after Twelfth of July marches made their way across the city earlier in the day.
Three people were arrested in the disturbances. Two improvised explosive devices were thrown at police officers in what the PSNI called a “prolonged and sustained attack”. 74 petrol bombs were thrown.
Superintendent Gordon McCalmont said:
“I am saddened, disheartened and frustrated that yet again police officers committed to keeping this local community safe have been attacked by a small number of people within it.
“It is nothing short of a miracle that officers were not injured.
“During this reckless disorder four AEP rounds were fired by my colleagues and we have arrested three males, aged 18 and 22 years old and aged approximately 50 years old.
“The 22 year old had been arrested for attempted murder.
“While we have seen many young people involved in these attacks over the last number of nights, it is clear that this is being orchestrated by a more sinister, adult, violent dissident republican element.
“This cannot continue. This must end now.
“I am asking every community leader and every single person with influence in Derry to help us stop these attacks on police and the wider community of the city.”
Last night’s trouble followed days of trouble in the North.
Sinn Féin MLA for Foyle Karen Mullen told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that a small number of children had begun engaging in “anti community behaviour” in recent weeks.
“We have now seen those children being used for dissidents to hide behind and bring weapons back on to the streets of Derry.”
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