Teenage girls hurt in sectarian attack

The girls, aged 14 and 17, sustained facial injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening in the Greenmount area of the town, a police spokesperson said.

The teenagers were close to Greenhall Highway when they were assaulted by up to six people at around 9.20pm.

Police are investigating reports that loyal order bandsmen may have been involved in the incident.

Detectives have appealed for information and want to trace the movements of a red mini-van seen in the area at the time.

It is believed that the minibus came from the Garvagh direction along the Dunhill Road towards Coleraine before travelling back in the direction of Greenmount.

Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Norman Hillis said; "I condemn any act of violence, intimidation or provocation especially against young people and other vulnerable groups. I would appeal for calm in the Coleraine area and encourage anyone with information to contact the local PSNI station."

East Derry Sinn Fin MLA Billy Leonard (pictured above) has described those involved as "the lowest of the low".

Mr Leonard said that, according to reports, "loyalist band members" were travelling in the red minibus.

"Some of them immediately got out of the vehicle and charged at a group of young men. As they returned to their minibus without getting the fight they obviously wanted one of the uniformed bandsmen literally kicked the 14-year-old girl on the side of her head.

"We could have so easily been talking about a death if the kick had landed a couple of centimetres away."

Mr Leonard said the youngest girl was badly bruised particularly around her eye and was treated for her injuries at Causeway's A&E unit.

"This has obviously been extremely traumatic for the young lady, her friends at the scene and then her parents who received worrying phone calls.

"I will be talking to the Parades Commission about their role in this context," Mr Leonard said.

However, East Londonderry MLA Adrian McQuillan has questioned Mr Leonard's version of events.

He claimed that Mr Leonard said the attack happened around 9.20pm in Coleraine and was carried out by Loyalist band members.

"Well the band parade in Garvagh didn't finish until about 10.15pm and I'm sure the police can verify that," said Mr McQuillan.

"Billy Leonard is barking up the wrong tree.

"I totally condemn this sort of attack but Billy Leonard is trying to place blame where there is no blame. He would be better getting the facts right and making sure the right people are arrested. He is too quick to point the finger of blame."

East Londonderry MLA, David McClarty, condemned the attack "unreservedly".

"I am aware that a possible sectarian motive is being investigated. The vast majority of the people of Coleraine simply want to get on with their lives, and live in peace with their neighbours.

"There is no support and there can be no justification for what happened on Friday night, and I would appeal to anyone with any information to contact the police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at Coleraine on 0845 600 8000. Information can also be passed anonymously to the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.