Northern Ireland Police have appealed for calm after a petrol bomb attack during the Easter Parade in Londonderry. The incident occurred just before US President Joe Biden's arrival in Northern Ireland tomorrow to mark the 25th anniversary of the historic peace deal agreed upon in April 1998.
Masked protesters threw petrol bombs at a police vehicle, sparking violence amidst the celebrations. Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris urged the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to re-enter Government, while Prime Minister David Cameron promised a major policing operation costing around £7 million and backed up by approximately 300 officers from other parts of the UK.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) warned that dissident republicans might launch attacks on police officers on Easter Monday. However, DUP leader dismissed allegations that his party's refusal to re-enter Stormont created a political vacuum leading to such incidents.
During an unauthorized march organized by the 1916 Commemoration Committee, masked dissidents attacked another Northern Ireland police car with petrol bombs. Authorities had previously warned about possible attacks during this parade by Republicans opposing the Good Friday Agreement. No arrests have been reported so far.
As part of security measures surrounding President Biden's visit, PSNI has requested assistance from 330 officers across different regions within the UK under Operation Inspire aimed at reinforcing police presence on Northern Irish streets.
Most parades throughout Northen Island commemorating its landmark peace accords passed without incident; however, authorities are currently investigating a masked color party leading one specific parade.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and US President Joe Biden will arrive Tuesday for several high-profile events celebrating this milestone anniversary, including conferences and gala dinners hosted by Queen’s University Belfast and former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton respectively.
Despite these commemorations highlighting progress since signing the peace accord in 1998, the peace process in Northern Ireland remains precarious due to post-Brexit trade arrangement issues paralyzing institutions for over a year.