Thuggery on display in Derry and Belfast
2nd July 2026
A bus has been damaged following two attacks by masked youths on the outskirts of Derry. The first incident occurred on the bus and was reported to police at early in the morning of Sunday 28 June, before it reached the designated park and ride. When it reached Drumahoe park and ride there were a number of youths with their faces covered waiting for the bus to arrive. Fearful that the incident was going to escalate further the driver did not stop and the youths attacked the bus breaking an upper window. The driver took the bus to the Altnagelvin Hospital as he believed one of his passengers was injured. In transit to the hospital, the bus was attacked again as it drove past Ivy Mead by up to six youths with their faces covered.
Youths with their faces covered attacking buses is not something we want to see on our streets again. Public transport is important to the local population and bus drivers are workers who should be free to go about their duties without the fear of being attacked and injured or their passengers being injured. I would appeal to young people not to engage in this disgraceful behaviour and to respect bus drivers and the travelling public.
The day after this outrageous event a 29-year-old man appeared in court charged with attempted murder following the recent riots in east Belfast. Christopher McLaughlin faces a charge of arson endangering life at a home in the east of the city and count of arson endangering life after a Glider was set on fire during the disorder.
It is heartbreaking to see young people engaging in acts of thuggery across our two main cities.