Londonderry: Unionists condemn 'shots' near republican mural

The incident took place near a mural of former INLA prisoner Michael Devine in the Galliagh area of Derry

Unionist politicians have condemned social media footage appearing to show masked men firing shots in the air in Londonderry.

The incident, in the Galliagh area, took place in front of a mural of INLA hunger striker Michael Devine on Friday.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said the incident was a "disgraceful display of terrorism".

UUP leader Doug Beattie has also called for "a full investigation".

Mr Beattie said there was "no place for this in society" and that those responsible were "yesterday`s men".

"Nobody should ever contemplate giving them any kind of support or view them as any kind of freedom fighter," he said.

'Brazen display'

"They restrict freedom, they have the boot on the neck of their own community and should be viewed as an embarrassment to nationalism."

Mr Donaldson tweeted that he had spoken with Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne.

He said Mr Byrne had assured him the incident is "under active police investigation".

"No one involved in such activity is above the law," the DUP leader added.

PSNI Superintendent Catherine Magee said she recognised there was public concern around the incident and assured the local community that a full investigation is underway.

"My job is to keep people safe and I will continue to work alongside local representatives, partner agencies and the community to address all criminal activity and bring those who break the law before the courts," she said.

His DUP colleague, Foyle MLA Gary Middleton, described it as a "brazen display" which "raises serious questions about the enforcement of law and order across our city".

Michael Devine, an INLA (Irish National Liberation Army) prisoner from Derry, was among 10 men who died as part of the 1981 hunger strike by republicans.

He died on 20 August 1981, after 60 days on hunger strike.