Scorch damage to the front of Dove House resource centre in the Bogside
THE Deputy Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Councillor Jim McKeever visited Dove House this week to speak to staff and residents after recent attacks on the community resource centre.
The building was scorch damaged when petrol bombs were fired at it for the second time in one week.
At a recent mass protest by local people outside the centre, residents warned those behind the attacks on Dove House of the need to stop before someone is maimed or killed.
In a statement Councillor McKeever said: ‘There is true community spirit here in the Bogside that will not be defeated by these mindless acts of vandalism.
“Such acts can have serious consequences, not only to the services the centre provides to the community but also to the health and well- being of those living in the area.
‘Council is fully supportive of the residents and hardworking staff at the centre who have provided the people of the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan and the wider Council area with many vital services and support for over twenty five years.
‘This type of anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and Council will continue to provide as much help and support to the area as it possibly can to ensure this valuable resource to the community remains in place,” added the deputy mayor.
Deputy Mayor Jim McKeever visiting Dove House this week
Sinn Foyle MLA Martin McGuinness blamed dissident republicans in the area for manipulating young people into carrying out the attacks.