Teen flees city after offensive ‘Bloody Sunday’ Facebook comment
The Facebook screenshot containing comments which the police have confirmed they are investigating.
A Derry teenager who posted a shocking Facebook comment about Bloody Sunday says he’s left the city because he fears for his safety.
Christopher Middleton, 19 year-old, said he wanted to apologise for the comment, made after Derry City’s victory over Linfield on Tuesday night.
On his Facebook page he said; “They my have won tonight but we can take concilation in the fact the Paras beat them 13-0 on a Sunday many years ago ;-)”
He told the Journal yesterday evening that the comment was “out of order”.
“I am not a sectarian person but I admit that comment is sectarian and I apologise. I had a drink and it was a lapse of judgement.
“There is no excuse for what I wrote. I knew there would be a backlash but I can not believe the scale and ferocity of it.”
Mr Middleton, who’s from the cityside, said he has received more than 100 threatening phonecalls. He’s left his home and the city.
He said he contacted the police because of what was happening.
“I feel sorry for my family, we are a mixed family, I went to a mixed school.
“I know it’s hard to believe but I am not a sectarian person. The only thing I know now is no matter how many times I apologise I’ll be a marked man in Derry. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go down the town, even for a walk.”
He said that after the match, which Derry City won 3-1, he took part in conversations online. They quickly degenerated into “sectarian slagging”, he said.
Mr Middleton added that a screenshot of his Facebook page, which was “doing the rounds”, placed him in the worst possible light.
He said he himself took abuse for being a Protestant.
His Facebook page has now been disabled.
When asked about the comments, the PSNI confirmed: “Police are aware and are conducting enquiries.”
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Weather for Derry
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
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Sunny spells
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