Police have strongly criticised the organisers of an Easter Monday parade in L'Derry, stating that it was the "complete opposite" of a dignified commemoration. Area Commander of Derry City & Strabane Chief Superintendent Gillian Kearney expressed her disappointment following the event.

Chief Superintendent Kearney stated: "Despite the claim by organisers of today's Easter Monday parade who said they wanted to hold a dignified commemoration, what we saw was the complete opposite."

She highlighted the presence of masked individuals from the start of the parade until its dispersal, which police believe to be a breach of the Parades Commission determination.

Disorder then broke out around 2.50 pm in the Nailors Row area as the masked individuals moved towards the dispersal point on Lecky Road. Chief Superintendent Kearney reported that "petrol bombs, fireworks and masonry were thrown which resulted in nearby Bishop Street (Without) being closed for a time for public safety reasons. Members of the public were diverted away from that area in the City Walls."

The senior officer asserted that the disorder, which involved young people, was not spontaneous. "This disorder involving young people was orchestrated. We have no doubt about this."

She further condemned the exploitation of young people, alleging, "Young people were shamelessly and deliberately used in an attempt to distract from and shield the masked individuals as they took cover in a gazebo following the parade in the area of St. Joseph's Place to change out of their parade clothing. This is child criminal exploitation. It is utterly shameful."

Following the parade, as part of a proactive policing operation, officers stopped two vehicles in separate locations – Frances Street and Fanad Drive. Two men, aged 30 and 55, were arrested under The Terrorism Act and have been taken to Musgrave Street Station in Belfast for questioning.

One of the vehicles stopped, a van, was seized by police, along with a number of other items.