Derry Violence Injures Ten Police Officers

Recent violence in Londonderry, which left ten police officers injured, is believed to have been orchestrated by dissident republicans, according to SDLP leader Colum Eastwood. The unrest involved young children, some as young as seven, throwing petrol bombs, fireworks, and stones at police, prompting Eastwood to label the act as 'child abuse' for putting lethal weapons in children's hands. The trouble erupted following the annual Apprentice Boys' Relief of Derry parade, despite a major police operation aimed at preventing disorder. Eastwood expressed anger at those who manipulated the children into participating in the violence, asserting that such orchestrations do not occur by accident. A 46-year-old man has been charged with disorderly behavior in connection with the incident, which involved around 50 youths. Local political figures, including DUP MLA Gary Middleton, have voiced concerns over the involvement of children in the riots.