The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed its concern over a series of attacks on media personnel following a controversial republican march in Derry. The NUJ states that these incidents, involving petrol bombs, were a blatant attempt to intimidate journalists and are completely unacceptable.
Several media professionals covering the procession in Derry’s Creggan district were targeted, with some being driven out of the area by masked individuals. Incidents included an explosive device hurled towards a television reporter, another exploded near a journalist who was alerting a colleague, and two further incidents involved media staff being pursued and attacked.
The union also reported a van being set ablaze, and the police advised motorists to stay away from the area due to the presence of youths with petrol bombs.
Séamus Dooley, the assistant general secretary of NUJ, observed firsthand the harassment, notably a warning issued to photographers to leave Creggan. Niall Deeney, a reporter from Belfast Live, shared that he was directly targeted by a young masked individual, which Deeney viewed as an attempt to intimidate him. He further stated that the group continued to attack other media members when no police were in sight.
The march, organised by the Derry 1916 Commemoration Committee in remembrance of the Easter Rising, featured approximately 12 men masked and dressed in paramilitary-style outfits. The event culminated at the City Cemetery, where eulogies were given. It should be noted that masked youths causing disturbances, and particularly hurling petrol bombs, has become a recurring issue at this annual event.
The incident was observed via police helicopter and drone, issuing a warning to those engaged in the illicit procession, nonetheless, police Land Rovers – which have historically been targeted – were absent from the area. Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney, Derry City’s area commander for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, noted that they surmise if granted the chance the petrol bombs produced by young individuals ahead of the march would have been used against the police. She voiced her sadness and disappointment at witnessing youth, including children, participating in such chaos.
She sternly condemned the exploitation of young individuals like this, placing them at risk and enticing them into unlawful acts. Political figures across Derry have harshly criticised the assaults.
Mr Dooley stated that such conduct is unacceptable in a society governed by democratic principles, and that it is deeply disheartening, especially in light of the imminent anniversary of journalist Lyra McKee’s death, who was killed by dissident republicans in Derry in April 2019. Observing young men armed with petrol bombs and masked men in paramilitary attire marching, he added, is particularly upsetting.
He observed an evident plan to threaten photographers and attempt to intimidate individual media crew members. He emphatically stated that these individuals are not representative of the people of Creggan or the Derry community, nor do they have the authority to dictate how journalists cover Northern Ireland news stories.
Mr Dooley expressed his union’s support for all journalists who covered the event and those who faced harassment, advocating for further attempts to deter youngsters from violent activity.