Apprentice Boys supporters from North Belfast all smiles before their bus pelted in sectarian attack
THIS is the bus load of Apprentice Boys supporters from North Belfast who were attacked by sectarian thugs.
The PSNI say one woman among this group sustained a considerable facial injury after stones were thrown at a bus.
The attack happened as their Cavehill Coaches bus travelled through the village of Dungiven, following the annual Apprentice Boys parade in Derry on Saturday evening.
Three other passengers were injured during the incident on Saturday.
A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident.
The bus was carrying people from north Belfast who had travelled up to Derry for the event and were returning home when it was hit with a fusilade of stones.
DUP MLA Nelson McCausland said windows were smashed and the woman was hit in the face with a large stone.
The injured woman was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts and the loss of teeth.
Said Mr McCausland: “The people who carried out the attack must have known that hired buses passing through the village were bringing people home from the parade in Derry.
“This was a sectarian attack and should be treated as a hate crime.”
Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness condemned the attack.
He tweeted: “The stoning and injuries to passengers on a bus in Dungiven returning from the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry was shameful.
“I strongly condemn it.”
Superintendent Mark McEwan, the Derry City and Strabane District Commander, said: “An arrest has been made in relation to the incident, and an investigation is continuing.”
He said the incident was the “only blemish” after the day passed off peacefully in Derry.
“Today saw another successful Apprentice Boys parade take place in the city,” he said.
“I would like to thank the Apprentice Boys, the business community of Derry, community groups across the city, our partner agencies and the people of the city who worked tirelessly to deliver a successful event.”