DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Terrorism Investigation Unit have today arrested a 21 year old man in the Creggan area of Derry under the Terrorism Act over a pick axe attack on a teen male after the funeral of Caoimhin Cassidy last Friday in the city.
The man was arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activity including a paramilitary style assault which took place in the city June 7.
The teenager was found by a police patrol lying on the grass in the area of Hollyhall Road with the junction of Creggan Road.
He sustained puncture wounds to his legs and was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment.
The brutal attack happened shortly after the funeral at St Mary’s Church for 18-year-old Caoimhin Cassidy who died the previous week after a stolen red Mazda 6 car he was in crashed into a lamp post on Fairview Road.
Police say the arrested suspect has been taken to Musgrave Serious Crime Suite where he is currently being questioned by detectives.
Speaking about the arrest, Detective Inspector Orr said: “Following searches in the Hollyhall Road area yesterday where a number of items were seized and taken away for forensic examination, a further search was carried out this morning at a property in the Creggan area.
“A 21 year old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of dissident republican activity linked to a paramilitary style assault in the city on Friday 7th June.
“We are committed to tackling all types of violence linked to dissident republican activity.
“Those responsible for carrying out these type of assaults do not care about their own community – they give no thought to the psychological damage that they cause to people witnessing the attacks.
“The reality is that they use fear and violence to exert control over communities for their own selfish gains.
“We will continue to work with communities to reduce the threat posed by those involved in such activity and would ask people to contact police if they have any suspicions about terrorist activity.”
