Boys Charged Over Memorial Hall Attacks

Three teenage boys have been charged following a spate of paint bomb attacks on the headquarters of the Apprentice Boys in L'Derry.

The three boys are all 15 and have been charged with criminal damage offences.

The attacks took place between 23 and 26 July on the Memorial Hall on Society Street.

Sinn Féin Councillor Colly Kelly said: "In the past week we have seen attacks on First Derry Presbyterian church and the now the Apprentice Boys Hall. A number of paint bombs have also been thrown from the Fountain Estate out onto Bishop Street hitting the fronts of a number of homes in Long Tower Court and others landing in the roadway.

"We cannot allow these sorts of senseless actions to occur in this day and age nor be used to heighten tensions in and around the greater Bishop Street/Fountain area, which is something no one wants."

Chairman of the Ulster Unionist Party’s Foyle Association Ronnie McKeegan said the attacks had been "viewed with dismay by many in Londonderry".

He said: "The Ulster Unionist Party very much welcomes the condemnation of these attacks from across the local community and we also congratulate the Police – especially Chief Inspector John Burrows and his team - on the swift action which has already been taken, resulting in three arrests."

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan remarked: "I strongly condemn these despicable acts of wanton vandalism. Attacks like these are attacks on the entire community."

(IT/CD)