County Derry Post

Several new community groups have been set up in Magherafelt in a bid to reduce sectarian tension in the town.

By Connla Young connla@derrypost.com 

The groups, which have the backing of Magherafelt District Council and local statutory bodies, aim to draw representatives from the Sperrin, Leckagh and Killowen estates.  The move to set the groups came after a series of sectarian clashes at the Sperrin/Leckagh interface during the summer.  In the most serious incidents nationalist and loyalist youths attacked each other over several nights.

During some of the disturbances the PSNI also came under attack from nationalist youths.

And although a community group already exists in Leckagh, residents in Sperrin and Killowen are set to launch their own groups.

Magherafelt DUP councillor Anne Forde said the new groups will be used to build better community relations in the district.

“There would be a degree of mistrust as a result of the troubles last year. There is a big gulf between the estates. The reason for this was because of the serious trouble that took place last year and the residents don’t want a reoccurrence of that.  “Nobody needs the trouble or wants it, it’s a small minority that are at it.”

No-one from Magherafelt District Council was available to comment.