In a troubling escalation of unrest in Northern Ireland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has reported a second night of violent disorder in the Nailors Row area of Derry, where Petrol Bombs Thrown at Police, masonry, and other missiles were hurled at officers.
The incidents, which unfolded on Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025, have left several officers injured and prompted multiple arrests, including that of an 18-year-old male and a 13-year-old boy. The violence, described as “blatant sectarian violence” by PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, has raised concerns about the safety of both the community and law enforcement, as well as the future prospects of the young individuals involved.
Unrest in Nailors Row: A Second Night of Violence
The Nailors Row area of Derry, a nationalist neighborhood near the historic city walls and adjacent to the predominantly Loyalist Fountain Estate, became the epicenter of violent disorder for the second consecutive night on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
According to the PSNI, the unrest began around 7:40 pm when a group of approximately 30 masked youths gathered and launched a sustained attack on police officers stationed outside Alexander House, a residential facility for elderly citizens.
The attackers used an array of dangerous projectiles, including petrol bombs, fireworks, heavy masonry, planks of wood, and bricks, targeting officers tasked with protecting the vulnerable residents of the facility.
The violence was not only intense but also prolonged, lasting from approximately 7:30 pm to 1:00 am. During this period, 14 PSNI officers sustained injuries, some requiring hospital treatment. The injuries ranged from those caused by direct hits from masonry to burns and other trauma inflicted by petrol bombs and fireworks.
One particularly alarming incident involved a rioter running toward the police line with a lit petrol bomb, prompting officers to discharge a baton round (commonly referred to as a plastic bullet), which struck and led to the arrest of the individual. The PSNI’s response included the deployment of additional resources, such as Tactical Support Group officers and canine units, to manage the situation and prevent further escalation.
Masked protesters throw petrol bombs and fireworks at police in a second night of riots in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, after a girl was allegedly sexually assaulted by two 14-year-old boys. pic.twitter.com/vr5sqSghPf
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) June 11, 2025
The proximity of the disorder to Alexander House has heightened community concerns, particularly for the elderly residents who live there. Justice Minister Naomi Long highlighted the severe risks posed by the violence, noting that some residents have serious health conditions and “wouldn’t stand a chance if a petrol bomb came through a window.”
Local residents have echoed these fears, expressing worry that the reckless actions of rioters could result in serious injury or even loss of life. The targeting of police near an interface area—where nationalist and unionist communities meet—has also fueled accusations of sectarian motives, with DUP MLA Gary Middleton describing the unrest as a “blatant attempt to heighten tensions.”
Read : Top 10 Most Beautiful Villages of Ireland
The PSNI’s public warning urged motorists and pedestrians to avoid the Nailors Row area during the unrest, reflecting the severity of the situation and the potential danger to bystanders. Videos circulating on social media showed riot police retreating uphill under a barrage of projectiles, with crowds of onlookers, including many young people, observing the chaos. These images have underscored the volatile atmosphere in Derry and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order.
Arrests and Charges: Youth Involvement in the Spotlight
In response to the disorder, the PSNI made 11 arrests on Tuesday night, bringing the total number of individuals detained in connection with the Nailors Row unrest to 13 across two nights. Among those arrested were eight male teenagers aged between 14 and 17, and three men aged 29, 30, and 47.
Each of the teenagers and the two younger men were detained on suspicion of riotous behavior, while the 47-year-old was arrested for allegedly intentionally encouraging or assisting the riot. By Thursday, June 19, 2025, nine of the 11 arrested individuals had been charged and were scheduled to appear before Londonderry Magistrates’ Court.
The charged individuals included a 14-year-old boy, three 15-year-old boys, two 16-year-old boys, and two men aged 29 and 30, all facing counts of riotous behavior. One of the 15-year-olds was also charged with throwing a petrol bomb, highlighting the serious nature of the offenses.
The involvement of young people, including a 13-year-old boy arrested on Monday and an 18-year-old male detained in connection with the earlier unrest on June 16, has drawn significant attention. Both the 13-year-old and the 18-year-old, arrested on suspicion of riotous behavior following Monday’s disorder, were released on bail pending further inquiries.
On Monday night, three officers were injured when missiles, including masonry and a firework, were thrown at police between 9:30 pm and midnight. The youthfulness of many of the perpetrators has sparked alarm among community leaders and politicians, who warn of the long-term consequences for those involved.
Derry’s MP, Colum Eastwood, condemned the violence and urged parents to engage with their children to prevent further participation in such activities. He emphasized the potential for a criminal record to “haunt the future” of young people, limiting their opportunities and impacting their prospects.
Sinn Féin MLA Padraig Delargy also described the disorder as “absolutely disgraceful,” calling for an end to the violence that endangers both the community and the individuals involved. The arrests of teenagers as young as 13 and 14 underscore the troubling trend of youth being drawn into sectarian clashes, a pattern that has persisted in Northern Ireland despite decades of progress toward peace.
The PSNI has released images of individuals they wish to identify in connection with the ongoing investigation, signaling their intent to pursue all those responsible. Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has vowed to seek the “strongest custodial sentences” for those involved, condemning the violence in the strongest terms and praising the courage and professionalism of his officers.
The arrests and charges reflect the PSNI’s determination to hold rioters accountable, but they also highlight the complex challenge of addressing youth involvement in such destructive behavior.
Broader Implications: Sectarian Tensions and Community Impact
The unrest in Nailors Row is not an isolated incident but part of a broader wave of disorder across Northern Ireland in recent weeks. The violence in Derry follows riots in other areas, such as Ballymena and Portadown, where anti-immigrant protests and sectarian clashes have flared.
In Ballymena, for example, riots erupted after the arrest of two 14-year-old boys in connection with a sexual assault case, leading to 41 police injuries and 15 arrests. The Derry unrest, however, has been explicitly labeled as “sectarian” by the PSNI, with the location near the Fountain Estate and the targeting of police suggesting underlying tensions between nationalist and unionist communities.
Unionist politicians, such as Alderman Darren Guy and DUP MLA Gary Middleton, have accused republican elements of orchestrating the violence, with Guy claiming that Sinn Féin has “lost control” of youths in Derry. These accusations point to a deeper political divide, with unionists arguing that the unrest is a deliberate attempt to provoke conflict in interface areas. Meanwhile, nationalist leaders like Colum Eastwood and Padraig Delargy have called for calm and urged the community to reject violence, emphasizing the need for dialogue and reconciliation.
The involvement of young people in the riots raises broader questions about the social and economic factors contributing to such behavior. Derry, like many areas in Northern Ireland, continues to grapple with the legacy of the Troubles, including high levels of deprivation, unemployment, and limited opportunities for youth.
These conditions can create a fertile ground for unrest, particularly when coupled with sectarian divisions that have not fully healed. Community leaders and organizations are now calling for increased investment in youth programs, education, and community cohesion initiatives to address these underlying issues.
The impact on the local community, particularly the elderly residents of Alexander House, cannot be overstated. The fear and disruption caused by the violence have left many residents feeling vulnerable, with some expressing reluctance to leave their homes. The PSNI has pledged to increase patrols in the area to reassure the public, but the long-term solution lies in addressing the root causes of the unrest and fostering greater understanding between communities.
In conclusion, the recent violence in Nailors Row, marked by the arrests of an 18-year-old and others, highlights the persistent challenges of sectarianism and youth involvement in disorder in Northern Ireland. The PSNI’s response, combined with calls from political and community leaders for calm and accountability, underscores the urgency of addressing these issues.
As Derry navigates this latest wave of unrest, the focus must shift toward prevention, reconciliation, and providing young people with positive alternatives to violence. Only through collective effort can the city move toward a more peaceful and inclusive future.