'Mindless' idiots' behind Derry arson attacks should be charged with attempted murder if caught says UUP's Darren Guy

Ulster Unionist Alderman Darren Guy made the remarks after a van was set on fire in the Fountain.

There were further arson attacks in nearby Hawkin Street and Grove Place as well as in the Bogside.

“Those who destroyed a young man’s work van in a laneway off Kennedy Place and placed a burning wheelie bin against the front door of a house on Hawkin Street early on Sunday morning should be charged with attempted murder if arrested.

Van destroyed during spate of Derry arson attacks“A wheelie bin was placed against the front of a young man’s work van, which he had only purchased three weeks ago. The van is completely destroyed, the owner is hoping he could salvage some of his tools from the van. Only for the quick actions of his father we could’ve been looking at a lot worse implications had nearby houses caught fire," said Ald. Guy.

Police are appealing for information after the van and a number of bins were set on fire in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Shortly after 2.30am, a report was received of two bins on fire in the Hawkin Street area of the City. Further reports were also made of bins on fire on nearby Grove Street, Wapping Lane and Rossville Street between 2.35am and 2.50am.

Ald. Guy said: “These mindless idiots burned more wheelie bins in Grove Place and Hawkin Street where they pushed a burning bin up against the door of a house. The outcome could’ve been a whole lot worse had a neighbour not pulled the bin away from the doorway. I spoke with the owner today but he was not in the house at the time.

“I also spoke to a few other residents who mentioned there was increased ‘anti-social’ behaviour in the area.”