Mobs rampage in Londonderry after attack on Apprentice Boys parade

Londonderry yesterday experienced its worst violence since the restoration of the IRA ceasefire in July, when riots broke out as nationalists protested at a Protestant Apprentice Boys parade through the city centre.

Buses and vans were hijacked and set on fire and petrol bombs thrown at RUC officers protecting the 3,000 Apprentice Boys. Rocks and bottles were hurled at police as they held back a crowd of up to 1,000 residents of the nearby Catholic Bogside area.

Police in full riot gear moved into the area and plastic bullets were fired. Parts of the city were sealed off, but tension escalated as darkness fell. Shoppers fled as mobs went on the rampage.

The RUC had tried to avoid clashes by confining both the parade and the demonstration to restricted areas.

The police tactics were criticised by both Protestants and nationalists. Donnacha MacNiallais, of the Bogside Residents' Group, said: "The rights of the people of Derry were sacrificed to allow this show of sectarian aggression, and the RUC, as usual, acted as the guardians of those bigots." The security operation brought part of the city to a virtual standstill.

The trouble flared just days after nationalist representatives, including Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, met Tony Blair in Downing Street.

Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble last night looked ahead to a possible face-to-face meeting with Mr Adams.

Mr Trimble, who has so far refused direct talks with Mr Adams at the multi-party Belfast negotiations, said on Irish television: "So many things are possible.

"We have seen actually in the past people who have forsaken terrorism and genuinely changed into democrats.

"It takes time, but it has happened in the past. It is perfectly possible that Gerry Adams can follow that path."