As reported in the Derry Journal, the lorry driver was understandably shaken following the attack. As a result, gritting services had to be temporarily halted.
Commenting on the disturbing incident, Sinn Féin councillor Emma McGinley said:
“I am deeply concerned that evening gritting services have been suspended in Creggan after reports that a lorry was targeted with stones and the driver left shaken on Saturday night. Thankfully no one was hurt, but my immediate thoughts are with the driver who was caught up in this incident.”
McGinley added:
“These attacks must stop, and I urge those responsible to act in the interest of their local community who need the gritting service in place. I will work with the Department of Infrastructure to have these services restored and gritting services back in place.”
News of the attacks comes after a former truck driver from Scotland staunchly defended gritter lorry drivers after hearing numerous complaints.
Referring to complaints about gritters people see sliding off the road, not spreading, or only spreading on specific roads, Mr Scott said he’d “heard so much negativity” over the last 24 hours that it was time for him to have a rant.
“I would suggest anyone who wants to have a moan at the gritter drivers should apply for the job themselves and give it a try, can’t be that hard can it? Must be easy enough driving a lorry that doesn’t slide on the ice and carrying a full load of salt behind you incase you get stuck anywhere,” said Mr Scott.
Photo: Sebastiandoe5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (image cropped and used for illustrative purposes only)