UK: Northern Ireland police vehicle attacked by masked assailants opposed to Good Friday Agreement

A vehicle of the Northern Ireland police was attacked by a group of masked people with petrol bombs and other objects, according to the region’s police. The incident took place amidst a parade celebrating the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and ahead of the visit by US President Joe Biden.

Northern Ireland police said on Monday that a police vehicle was attacked by a group of masked people with petrol bombs and other objects as a parade was taking place in Londonderry. The group is believed to be one of those who oppose the landmark Good Friday peace accord that largely ended decades of political violence in the region. The incident also took place ahead of Biden’s visit to Belfast, and video footage showed four people in the predominantly Irish nationalist area of Creggan throwing petrol bombs at a police vehicle.

The crowd was dispersed shortly after the attack on the vehicle, and no one was injured from the incident.

“What we saw develop this afternoon in Creggan was incredibly disheartening. This was a senseless and reckless attack on our officers who were in attendance in the area in order to comply with our legal duties,” said Derry City & Strabane Area Chief Superintendent Commander Nigel Goddard.

Goddard said that the police have deployed evidence-gathering resources and obtained the footage of the incident that will be under review as part of the probe of potential violations of the Terrorism Act 2000.

Monday marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. While political violence has largely ended since then, there is still sporadic violence committed by groups who remain opposed to the peace accord. Biden is set to arrive in Belfast on Tuesday.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak celebrated the anniversary of the signing of the peace agreement this week and called on the region’s lawmakers in its Stormont assembly to “get on with the business of governance.”

Sunak will also be receiving Biden upon arriving in Belfast, saying that the US leader’s visit will highlight the international support the historic peace accord has received. Sunak also stressed the importance of remembering those who died during efforts to keep the peace in the region.