30 year old man arrested following racially-motivated hate crime in Londonderry

Derry police say the man attended Strand Road station yesterday, and was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including threats to kill.

Derry police say the man attended Strand Road station yesterday, and was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including threats to kill.
Author: Hannah PattersonPublished 6th May 2024
Last updated 6th May 2024

Police investigating what they're treating as a racially motivated hate crime have arrested a 30 year old man in Londonderry.

It is in relation to online threats against a councillor who is set to become Northern Ireland's first black mayor.

Lilian Seenoi-Barr, originally from Kenya, has been selected by the SDLP to be the next first citizen of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Derry police say the man attended Strand Road station yesterday, and was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including threats to kill.

The man has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

A police spokesperson said: "I want to assure the public that we take reports of online threats and harassment extremely seriously.

I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of such behaviour to contact police on 101, or on 999 in an emergency.”