Teenager attacked because he is a Protestant - deputy mayor

A teenage boy has sustained a broken nose after what police are treating as a sectarian attack in Londonderry city centre.

The assault happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at Shipquay Place, near Guildhall Square.

Deputy Mayor Niree McMorris said the boy was attacked because he was a Protestant.

"All too often we hear of these mindless attacks happening and it concerns me that some day these attacks will lead to a fatality," she said.

McMorris said the teenager had been attending an 18th birthday party earlier that night.

She said he had then gone to get something to eat and was assaulted by a large crowd who shouted sectarian abuse at him.

"The young guy who was only 16 received severe facial injuries and has had to get medical attention in hospital," McMorris said.

She has appealed for anyone with information to get in touch with the police.

The SDLP's Mark H Durkan said it was "really troubling to see this tribalism and hatred engendered in the next generation".

"What a sickening headline to wake up to today, a young man now left with severe facial injuries following what's being treated as a sectarian attack in the city centre," he said in a social media post.