Teenagers accused of rioting in Galliagh released on bail

District Judge Barney McElholm made the comment as two teenagers appeared in court accused or riotous behaviour in connection with disorder in the Galliagh area of the city earlier this week.
Neither of the defendants can be named because of their age.

The 14 and 15-year-old boy’s are charged with riotous behaviour and attempted criminal damage on August 5.
The 14-year-old is further charged with possessing and throwing petrol bombs.

Derry Magistrate’s Court heard allegations that both teenagers were identified from police footage of the disorder in the Moss Road and Fairview Road area of Galliagh.

An investigating officer said police came under attack from a large group of youths  who were throwing petrol bombs, masonry, stones and other items at police vehicles.

The court heard there were in excess of ten youths involved and over 100 bystanders.

The officer said that during the disorder three cars were hijacked, a lorry was hijacked and £27,000 of damage was caused to a police vehicle.

It is alleged the 14-year-old was captured on police footage lifting petrol bombs, lighting them and throwing them at police.

During police interview, he admitted doing this and said ‘peer pressure’ was the reason he got involved.

The 15-year-old was allegedly captured on police footage throwing bricks and other masonry at a police vehicle.

He also told police during interview that ‘older fella’s had encouraged him’ to do this.

Police opposed bail for both teens, citing concerns about bonfires that are due to take place in the city on August 15.

The investigating officer said it was ‘very lucky that no one was seriously injured’ during the disorder.

He added that police have concerns the teens will commit further offences as they both live within the immediate vicinity.

Paddy MacDermott, defending the 14-year-old, said his client has no previous criminal record and ‘no motivation for this behaviour’.

He told the court the teen ‘regarded it as a bit of craic, but of course it is not under any circumstances’.

The solicitor said his client could be released on bail temporarily to a caravan site in County Donegal to allay police concerns.

Seamus Quigley, acting for the 15-year-old, said his client has ‘intellectual difficulties’ and was an ‘easy target’ for ‘older, more sinister, experienced people in the background.’

The solicitor said his client had apologised for his behaviour during police interview.

He added that the teen could be released with stringent conditions.

District Judge Barney McElholm said the ‘stupid young boys’ involved in the disorder “should realise this is a very dangerous thing they are doing. It would be very easy to imagine them ending up burning themselves to death, never mind their targets.

“Exactly why they thing they have a right to throw petrol bombs at another human being I don’t know.”

He granted bail to both teenagers.

The 14-year-old was released on bail to the caravan site in Donegal and is banned from entering the city unless he is directed to attend court.

The 15-year-old is prohibited from going within 500m of a bonfire, parade, demonstration, organised protest or police operation. 

He must abide by a curfew and must not assemble in any public place with more than three people.

Both teenagers will appear in court again on August 21.