Petrol bombs thrown at PSNI vehicles during an illegal dissident republican parade in Londonderry were “attempts to maim or kill” officers, the NI Police Federation has said.

Stones and various other missiles were also directed at police as around 200 people attended the 1916 Easter Rising commemoration in the Creggan estate yesterday afternoon.

Federation chairman Mark Lindsay described the violence as “appalling and disgraceful”.

He said: “Anyone who throws petrol bombs at police vehicles or individual officers is out to cause maximum physical harm. They want to maim or kill officers. That’s the stark reality of their actions.”

Mr Lindsay said the dissidents behind the attacks will not succeed in causing mayhem, and added: “They only know how to wreck and undermine. They are bankrupt thugs with nothing but misery to offer a community. They cling desperately to a past, unwilling to recognise the gains that have been made and unwilling to imagine a better future for the entire community.

“There was orchestration behind this unrest with young people being manipulated by older and sinister ‘puppet-masters’. They are brainwashing these youths into believing that violence is the only way forward and, of course, it isn’t.”

Yesterday’s parade was led by masked men in paramiltary-style uniforms. A senior PSNI officer said video footage of the attacks will be examined in an effort to bring those responsible before the courts.

Foyle MLA Gary Middleton also condemned those behind the violence.

“Nobody has a desire to see the violence on display today, except for barbaric thugs intent on endangering life and property,” he said.

Mr Middleton described the “glorification of terrorism” at the parade as “abhorrent,” and added: “I hope the actions of all involved are investigated and those responsible feel the full weight of the law.”

Chief Inspector Ivor Morton said the parade organisers had declined PSNI attempts to engage in discussions ahead of the commemoration.

“Police will review all video footage collected today and will robustly pursue all possible enquiries to identify those involved and bring them before the courts.”

Ulster Unionist MLA Doug Beattie said: “While calling for the PSNI to take robust retrospective action against the organisers of this illegal parade and those in paramilitary uniforms, I also call on the judiciary to set a penalty that fits the crime.

“I also call on parents – in all communities in Northern Ireland – to ensure that their children are not getting sucked into this type of activity to face the consequences, whilst the men who organised it sit safely in the local pub, drinking beer and making hollow boasts.”

On Monday night Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill tweeted: “Everyone has a right to remember their dead in a respectful & dignified way. Scenes from Derry today are very disturbing. Masked individuals, causing disturbance, youths throwing petrol bombs etc is far from dignified. Those responsible should be brought before the law.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood also used social media to condemn the petrol bombers and rioters. He said: “Disgraceful scenes in Creggan today. What does any of that achieve apart from ensuring that more young people end up getting criminal records.”

Alliance MLA Stewart Dickson said “illegal parades involving masked men aimed at glamorising the past can never be tolerated”.

There are no reports of anyone having been injured or arrested as a result of the disorder.

At the same time as the violence erupted in Londonderry, a major Apprentice Boys of Derry parade in Antrim town passed off without incident.</s>Police have been pelted with petrol bombs and bottles as they tried to stop an illegal dissident republican march in Londonderry in Northern Ireland.

Masked youths attacked the armoured vans in the Creggan area of the city as hundreds gathered for the Easter parade by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee.

Shocking pictures showed the white Land Rover vehicles engulfed in flames as the missiles thrown by crowds of young men smashed into them.

Later men in paramilitary uniforms led the parade through the area to the Londonderry City Cemetery.

The parade was illegal because it was not listed with the Parades Commission. There are not thought to have been any injuries in the violence. Republicans mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising every year.

It came just two days after police swooped on an unlisted Republican Sinn Fein commemoration in Lurgan, Co Armagh, and arrested nine men.

They were members of a 'colour party' during the event on Saturday and were wearing berets and other paramilitary-style clothing.

Six were charged with taking part in an unnotified procession. One of the six was also charged with assault on police and a seventh was charged with obstructing police.

The six were: Eamon Green, 30, from Belfast; Christopher Hamill, 28, from Lurgan, Martin Conlon, 48, from Lurgan; Emmet Donnan, 30, from Belfast; Matthew O'Donnell, 39, from Londonderry; Gary Doherty, 36, from Omagh, Co Tyrone.

There was a heavy security presence inside and outside Lisburn Magistrates' Court as the six appeared in the dock in handcuffs and surrounded by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers today.

They did not acknowledge the court proceedings when asked to identify themselves. They were casually dressed in sweaters and t-shirts. One wore a green t-shirt bearing the slogan Eire.

Supporters applauded and cheered them from the public gallery. District judge Amanda Henderson released them on bail.

Police opposed their release on bail over fears further un-notified parades would be organised.

They were freed on their own bail of £500, to reside at addresses suitable to police and not to be within 200 metres of an unnotified parade or procession and not to contact any other accused.

They were ordered to meet an overnight curfew and will appear again in court on April 27.

Yesterday the organisers of today's parade vowed to proceed with the march despite concerns it was going to be stopped by police.

In a statement the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee, said: 'We have been told that Creggan will be swamped with the Crown Forces and the march will not be allowed to take place.

'Having witnessed what happened in Lurgan, where the Republican Sinn Féin commemoration was attacked and those taking part arrested, it is now our belief that the same methods will be used on Monday.

'The Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee call on the people of Derry to join us in Creggan, 2 p.m. on Monday and honour our patriot dead and defy those who refuse to let us do so in peace.

'We also have a message for British Crown Forces Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Martin, we will never be broken.'</s>Armoured vans were attacked by masked youths in the Creggan area of Londonderry as hundreds gathered for the Easter parade by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee. Crowds of young men hammered vehicles with missiles, causing them to be engulfed in flames, but there are not thought to have been any injuries. Eyewitnesses claimed dozens of fire bombs were thrown but senior offices counted seven. Others said that heavy masonry was used to smash the windows of Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) vehicles. The parade, later led by men in paramilitary uniforms through the area to the Londonderry City Cemetery, is illegal because it was not listed with the Parades Commission. Republicans mark the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising every year.

Police had warned that it was an illegal parade and that they had failed to discuss the event with them beforehand. Chief Inspector Ivor Martin said: "It is, therefore, regrettable that in raising those tensions a small number of people saw fit to attack police officers with petrol bombs in what was clearly a premeditated attack. "I want to be clear that for anyone who engaged in actions that were unlawful or detrimental to community safety, there will be consequences through the criminal justice system. "Police will review all video footage collected today and will robustly pursue all possible inquiries to identify those involved and bring them before the courts."

Yesterday, the organisers of today’s parade had vowed to press ahead with the march despite concerns it was going to be stopped by police. In a statement, the Derry 1916 Commonwealth Committee said: “We have been told that Creggan will be swamped with the Crown Forces and the march will not be allowed to take place. “Having witnessed what happened in Lurgan, where the Republican Sinn Féin commemoration was attacked and those taking part arrested, it is now our belief that the same methods will be used on Monday.”</s>Shocking footage shows petrol bombs being thrown at police vehicles during a republican parade in Derry, Northern Ireland.

Violence broke out just before the crowd marched towards the city's cemetery in honour of those that died in the Easter Rising and the Battle of Somme.

Heavy masonry was used to smash the windows of Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) vehicles in the nationalist estate.

Sporadic trouble continued for around two hours as republicans marked the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising - an armed attempt to throw off British rule in Ireland.

Police warned demonstrators that it was an illegal parade.

Democratic Unionist Assembly member Gary Middleton told the Irish Mirror: "This was an unregistered parade and today the scenes coming from the Creggan area have been totally disgraceful.

"People in paramilitary-style uniform is wrong and the continued glorification of terrorism is abhorrent.

"Nobody has a desire to see the violence on display today, except for barbaric thugs intent on endangering life and property.

"The PSNI were there to protect the community - people who live in fear at displays and parades such as this one today.

"The police have to be praised for the work they continue to do this weekend, as they uphold the law and thoroughly deal with illegal parades and displays of such a disturbing nature."

The politician said: "I hope the actions of all involved are investigated and those responsible feel the full weight of the law.

"The over-riding desire of many is to see events pass off peacefully and without any paramilitary trappings, unfortunately, a minority in our communities are intent on creating destruction and fear.

"Again the demands of respect and equality from republicans ring hallow when there is little shown to those who uphold the law and work to keep communities safe.

"Those involved should not believe they are above the law."

Chief Inspector Ivor Morton said: “In relation to today’s event in Derry/Londonderry we attempted to engage with the organisers of the parade over a period of time in a bid to facilitate their event within the law.

"The organisers declined to enter into any discussions with police on this matter.

"The organisers also stated in the run-up to today’s event they were informed by police the parade would be stopped and would not be allowed to go ahead. 





"This was patently untrue and can only be viewed as an attempt by those behind the parade as a bid to raise tensions in the area.

"It is, therefore, regrettable that in raising those tensions a small number of people saw fit to attack police officers with petrol bombs in what was clearly a pre-meditated attack.

"I want to be clear that for anyone who engaged in actions that were unlawful or detrimental to community safety, there will be consequences through the criminal justice system.

"Police will review all video footage collected today and will robustly pursue all possible enquiries to identify those involved and bring them before the courts.



“I would appeal to anyone who has any information regarding this incident to contact police at Strand Road station on the 101-non emergency number.

"Information can also be passed to police through your local representatives or to your local neighbourhood policing officer.

"Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers and on 0800 555 111.”
The Police Service of Northern Ireland says it was firebombed at a march in Londonderry to commemorate a Troubles attack, calling the assaults an "attempt to kill or maim" officers.