Police were called to The Tavern - better known locally as the Talk of the Town - at London Street shortly after 7 p.m. following reports that a number of windows at the pub had been broken.

Bar owner Kingsley Curry said a gang of around 30 males - who he said all had "southern accents" - shattered four windows, broke a number of stools and smashed bottles during the no-warning attack.

He said a number of bar regulars confronted the gang and forced them out onto London Street before jamming the front door shut. Some of the gang then tried to re-enter the bar through the broken windows.
Mr. Curry said: "I have no doubt that these hooligans were from the Republic of Ireland. They all had southern accents. I've been told they were up for the big game at Brandywell."

The pub owner revealed that, at the time of the attack, there were only five people - including two tourists - in the bar. He said one customer sustained a cut to his ear as a result of flying glass while a member of staff received a cut to his hand.

He also claimed that his London Street premises must have been "singled out" to the gang as a "Protestant bar".

One bar regular added: "We've been getting attacked right, left and centre in recent times and solely because we're recognised as a Protestant bar. In a sense, we stick out like a sore thumb. However, I can assure people that it's business as usual here. The pub will be open for business tomorrow. These people won't force us out."
Mr. Curry added that security at the bar would have to be reviewed in light of last night's attack.

"We'll have to have a look at security. Had they all got in, I dread to think what could have happened. Someone could have been seriously hurt."
Police confirmed last night that a 17-year-old youth had been arrested in connection with the incident at the pub.