28-04-2025
Youth group calls for political leadership after busload of children caught up in Derry violence
The bus, which was bringing children home from a tournament in Omagh, was attacked with bricks as it made its way through the Waterside area of the city.
Some of the young passengers sustained cuts and grazes following the incident, which the PSNI said had left them 'shaken'.
"Actions have consequences and the choices you make today can impact your life forever' – North West Youth Services
North West Youth Services, who organised the tournament alongside the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, said they had been left 'deeply saddened' by the events.
"The tournament involved 125 young people from across Ireland, north and south, and aimed to promote unity and understanding among Protestant, Catholic, and new comer communities,' said a spokespreson.
"The bus, carrying participants back to Derry/Londonderry, included young people from all these backgrounds.
"The youth organisations in this City have been working diligently over the years to ensure our young people have the opportunity to grow and learn together.
"The whole community initiatives that our organisations provide are designed to promote tolerance and integration and to help young people realise a shared and inclusive society where they are protected and valued.
"The fact that this event was such a successful realisation of those goals makes this attack particularly distressing and traumatic for all involved.
"Parents and young people should feel assured in the knowledge that they are safe and protected while in the company of our youth workers and that confidence was seriously impacted by the actions of a few last night.'
We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
The organisation called on community leaders and politicians to show leadership in reacting to an increasing number of incidents in the city over the last few months.
"This incident follows a series of troubling events over the past number of months, highlighting the urgent need for restraint and responsible leadership,' they said.
"We call on community leaders and politicians to help guide us through these challenging times and urge young people to engage positively and proactively with their local communities and youth workers.
"Actions have consequences and the choices you make today can impact your life forever.
Let us stand together in solidarity, fostering peace and understanding in our community. Violence has no place in our society, and we must all work towards a future where respect and tolerance is embedded into the culture and lives of our people.'
The PSNI confirmed the incident was one of several in the city currently under investigation as 'sectarian hate crimes'.
"On Sunday April 27, police responded to a report of an arranged fight in the Waterside,' said a spokesperson.
"A large number of individuals, mostly youths - some of whom were masked - were observed arriving into the Irish Street area. From around 5pm, bricks, bottles and fireworks were thrown by and at youths, and at police.
"A bus and one vehicle was damaged with bricks while transiting through the area. Two police vehicles were also damaged. The bus had windows broken, leaving passengers and the driver badly shaken. One passenger, a teenage boy, was covered in glass.
"Police appeal to anyone with information, or who witnessed the incidents or has relevant footage, including dash cam, to get in touch on 101, quoting reference 989 of 27/04/25.
"A report can be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via
