Several hundred people have attended a rally held in Derry this afternoon in support of a much-used resource centre which was targeted by petrol bombers on two occasions this week.
Dove House in the Bogside has been targeted by vandals around 20 times this year but this week’s attacks have been among the most serious – the building had petrol bombs thrown at last night and on Tuesday night last.
Bronagh McMonagle, manager of Dove House, said it was fortunate no one was killed in last night’s attack.
She said: “It is a small minority who are carrying these attacks but whether there is a more sinister element to them we don’t know.”
“We have got to the stage now we are totally disheartened – we have thousands upon thousands of people coming through our door every year for advice.
“We had to cancel an Alcohol Anonymous meeting last week because of a threat of the building being burned down.
“Last night they had only left half an hour before the attack took place, so there could have been a fatality and not just a couple of thousand pounds worth of damage.
Sinn Fein, SDLP and Independent councillors Sean Carr and Darren O’Reilly were among those who attended.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was also in attendance.
He described the attacks as “absolutely appalling” and “disgraceful” and called on those behind them to stop.
The Sinn Fein Foyle MLA said: “A vital community service is provided here by the people who have been working on behalf of the community in Dove House for decades, helping some of the most disadvantaged families in our society - and to find that there is a tiny number of people, some of whom are being manipulated by dissident elements, who think they do a service to any cause by attacking Dove House is beyond my comprehension whatsoever.”
He added: “What we need to see is an end to these attacks.
“We need to see the young people who are a tiny minority within our society - the vast people of young people are absolutely tremendous, they are brilliant - but there is a tiny number of young people and indeed their parents who would need to get their act together.”
The video features Roisin Barton, chairperson of Dove House, addressing this afternoon’s rally.
If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team. Between 9am and 5pm Monday to Sunday please call 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Between 5pm and midnight please call or text 07825 711978. Or you can email john.gill@derrynews.net at any time.
