Bin lorry driver narrowly escapes injury as brick is hurled at cab in Derry in 'reckless' attack

Ulster Unionist Alderman Guy condemned the indiscriminate attack on council staff along the Skeoge Road earlier today.

Alderman Darren Guy said: “Council staff who had just set off along the Skeoge Road had a lucky escape earlier today, when around 6.50 a.m. a large house brick was thrown at the cab of the refuse collection vehicle.

"Just by chance the brick hit the drivers side window, had it hit the front windscreen we may have been discussing a serious injury to the driver."

The UUP councillor, who is a taxi driver by trade, said he totally condemned what he described as a reckless attack on council staff.

"These staff have continued to provide a service in our council area throughout the pandemic, yet some low life, most likely on their way home from a party, thinks it’s ok to hurl a brick at a moving vehicle.

"Thankfully no member of staff was injured but now a refuse vehicle has to be taken out of service to be repaired," he said.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Brian Tierney, condemned the attack on the lorry and a similar incident that occurred around the same time with an attack on a food waste lorry causing ​damage to the driver’s door, just below the window. Both attacks took place in the Skeoge area of the city.

Mayor Tierney said: “I am absolutely disgusted by these attacks this morning. It is a miracle that nobody was injured.

“Our refuse workers have been out on the frontline every day since the start of the pandemic providing a vital service for the local community, and it is a disgrace that while simply doing their jobs they have to deal with terrifying incidents like this.

“I would urge the individuals behind this to think about their reckless actions which could have caused serious injuries or accidents. There is absolutely no place for this in our society. Their actions have caused real distress and, in turn, puts more pressure on our hard-working refuse teams.

“Both incidents have now been reported to the police.”

Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy slammed those responsible.

“This is a shocking incident. It must have been very upsetting for the workers caught up in this.

“I would appeal to anyone with information on who was responsible to bring it forward,” she said.