Young people urged to ditch antisocial behaviour for running

Runners from Galliagh estate have urged young people to put down petrol bombs and take up exercise

It is an area which has seen its fair share of trouble, including serious rioting last summer.

Now, runners from Londonderry's Galliagh estate have urged young people to put down petrol bombs and take up exercise.

Last August, violence flared in the predominantly nationalist area after wood and other material was removed from a bonfire site.

So, this year, Galliagh community centre, which was damaged during last year’s trouble, has launched a programme of summer events.

Matthew McLaughlin has turned his life around through exercise

“I once hung around the back of shops smoking, drinking and getting up to all sorts but now I’m addicted to running,” said local man, Matthew McLaughlin.

Mr McLaughlin, who lives 400m from where the starting line was for the Galliagh Féile 5K run, told BBC News NI how he turned his life around through exercise.

“The young people need to listen and make changes through the positive work now going on in Galliagh.

“I changed my life for my sons and wanted to get fit. I became addicted to the running instead of the cigarettes and drinking around the streets. Something just clicked in my head as I got older and I wanted to be responsible."

And he said running was good for the mind, as well as the body.

“It’s frustrating and sad to see trouble and disorder in your own area. The young people, not all of them mind you, need to look at ways they can change their lives and just go for it.

“The benefits of exercise are too great. The freedom you get in your head through running is unbelievable.”

Last year in Galliagh - a car was burnt out during the violence in August 2023

The Galliagh Féile includes a Galliagh Goes Country festival, a Jika Jika Dance event for 13 to 16-year-olds, fun days, an exhibition and the community 5k run, which happened on Friday night.

Disorder and anti-social behaviour is something the Galliagh community has endured for many years because of a minority of young people.

Tensions can sometimes flare up because of issues around bonfires which are lit in some nationalist areas of Derry on 15 August.

Last summer, petrol bombs were thrown, buses and vans attacked and houses targeted.

A mother also told BBC News NI last year how her daughter sustained an injury after debris from a burning car fire struck her.

Local youth worker Allie McGarrigle is one of those trying to improve Galliagh's image

'Explore the positive'

Allie McGarrigle, a youth and support worker in Galliagh, started volunteering from the age of 15.

“It’s not nice to see the trouble break out in your home area but there is so much good happening too," she said.

"I really want some of the young people and some of the older people who support violence and trouble to break away and explore more positive things.

“Some young people previously would have put their heads down and walked by you but now they’ll stop and chat. I can see a change over the past few years and that’s something for us to latch onto."

She is hopeful the violence of last year will not be repeated.

“I urge those who are curious in any way about what community work is being done to just come and see us," she said. "We will listen too.”

Running has worked wonders for local man Gary Clarke

Gary Clarke, from Galliagh, completed a "Couch to 5k" challenge a few years ago and now sees the benefit of regular exercise.

He said areas like Galliagh often get bad press but it does not paint the full picture of all the positive things that are happening.

“It’s time to change the headlines in Galliagh and keep the community spirit up," he said.

"The 5k run meant people from all over could come into Galliagh, too, to take part and that shouldn’t be underestimated either.

“Not all young people are the same and they shouldn’t be judged the same. Quite a few young people signed up to the Galliagh 5K which can only be a positive step in the right direction.

“It’s about a change in attitude and a change in exercise. Ultimately it will lead to better mental health.”