Torch route protesters condemned

Gregory Campbell MP described those responsible as a “tiny group of pathetic losers”, while a statement issued by the Chairman of the UUP Foyle Association highlighted the contrast with the “selfless participation” of those welcoming the Olympic Torch to Londonderry.

A number of scuffles broke out as the planned route was blocked by the dissident republican protesters. A 51-year-old man is due to appear in court on June 27, charged with assault on police and disorderly behaviour.

Speaking in condemnation of the protesters, DUP man Gregory Campbell said: “The small group of dissident protesters who caused a detour of the Olympic torch through Londonderry has caused negative headlines and have upped the ante considerably in the run up to next year’s UK City of Culture celebrations.

“This tiny group of pathetic losers today protested when Nationalists in Greysteel, Unionists in the Waterside,and people of all persuasions and none in Limavady, Ballykelly and Coleraine saw the torch coming through their districts as a cause of celebration.

“The minor inconvenience which it brought is not the major issue, it is not even the negative headlines that their actions bring to Northern Ireland which is the overriding concern, but it is the potential that their activities bring to the first ever UK City of Culture events next year.

“It is clear they are not going to be reasoned with, therefore the response from within their own community must now be swift and unequivocal and the security response to dealing with their efforts will need to be reviewed after today’s outcome.”

Terry Wright, Chairman of the UUP Foyle Association, Londonderry issued a statement which read: “At a time when Londonderry had an opportunity to present the community in a favourable light it is regrettable that a small unrepresentative minority has chosen to indulge once again in disruptive and angry protest.

“There are few, if any, who would deny the right to protest but when it becomes disruptive and violent in nature it impinges on the rights of others and has to be condemned.

As such it stands in marked contrast to the selfless participation of those many who were sufficiently motivated to represent the vast majority in welcoming the Olympic torch to the whole island of Ireland and Londonderry in particular.

“Whoever has seen fit to adopt this strategy has no mandate from the community and is acting from a misguided and delusional belief that it serves some purpose.

“At a time when the city is struggling to advance collectively and the people are experiencing obvious difficulties we can no longer indulge their folly and firm restraint needs to be put in place by government using the means at its disposal to bring it to an end. The appropriate community politicians need to make clear their support for such a strategy. “

The PSNI also issued a statement, which read: “The decision to implement a small diversion to the route of the torch was taken to ensure the safety of all concerned and to ensure the enjoyment of the event by the vast majority of spectators was not affected.”