Violence erupted in the waterside area of Coleraine 05/10/2009 after republicans attacked police with missiles after returning from a celtic support evening in Belfast.

Ugly scenes broke out in the Heights area in Co Londonderry, where months before Catholic community worker Kevin McDaid died after taking a tragic heart attack after an altercation with Loyalists. Stones were thrown at PSNI officers and fireworks were set off. It is said to have started as a bus load of republicans turned up at The Castle Bar which is considered a republican pub.

The unrest occurred at around 8pm as police responded to bottles and bricks being thrown in the Waterside area.

After attempting to disperse the crowd officers were attacked.

PSNI officers met with community representatives in a bid to resolve the trouble which continued for a number of hours. The Castle Bar had to close its doors in order to remain in one piece as one source described.

Police last night said they had no reports of injuries and the situation had calmed.

It is understood, however, that officers were still in the area at 11pm. And were investigating reports that Protestant homes were attacked see http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/foyle_and_west/8290074.stm

In May, Mr McDaid (49) died from a heart attack in the Heights area by a loyalist mob following Rangers' victory over Celtic in the Scottish league title race.

DUP Mayor of Coleraine Sandy Gilkinson appealed for calm.

“This (area) is where the trouble always comes from.

“I don’t know all the facts but the football match could have sparked the trouble, that is what sparked it the last time.

He added: “I would condemn anyone attacking police officers, they are out there trying to do a service.”

It is thought that republicans are becoming more hostile towards the PSNI after they claim McDaid was murdered even though the pathologist ruled that it was a heart attack and he was not beaten to death by anyone.