Dervock Flute Band on parade 24 hours after '˜hate attack'

Dervock Young Defenders Flute Band paraded in County Antrim last night (Friday) thanks to Armoy Flute Band and the local community.
Twelve hours after having their bus and instruments decimated by a malicious fire, Dervock Young Defenders are pictured preparing to travel to a parade in Ballyclare. Included in the photo are Cllr William Blair, Cllr Sharon McKillop Cllr Darryl Wilson, Robin Swann MLA and Cllr Russell Watton showing their support.Twelve hours after having their bus and instruments decimated by a malicious fire, Dervock Young Defenders are pictured preparing to travel to a parade in Ballyclare. Included in the photo are Cllr William Blair, Cllr Sharon McKillop Cllr Darryl Wilson, Robin Swann MLA and Cllr Russell Watton showing their support.
Twelve hours after having their bus and instruments decimated by a malicious fire, Dervock Young Defenders are pictured preparing to travel to a parade in Ballyclare. Included in the photo are Cllr William Blair, Cllr Sharon McKillop Cllr Darryl Wilson, Robin Swann MLA and Cllr Russell Watton showing their support.

Less than 24 hours after their band bus and most of their instruments was burnt, Dervock members travel to a parade in Ballyclare to celebrate their history and culture.

Armoy Flute Band provided them with various instruments allowing the Dervock group to show whoever carried out the attack that they would ‘grow from strength to strength’.

A spokesperson explained: “Dervock Young Defenders are totally overwhelmed by the support they have been shown locally and across Northern Ireland, and are determined to grow from strength to strength.”

In response to appeals from hundreds within the community they have set up a Go Fund Me website.

It states: “Today the members of Dervock Young Defenders F.B woke up to the news that their community bus had been burned in the early hours of the morning. Every single one of their drums, including their bass drum, standard and two flags were torched in the arson attack. This despicable, treacherous act does not only affect the band but also the local community who make use of the bus at every opportunity.”

Here is the link to their gofundme page: https://www.gofundme.com/2fu2bes

* Police are treating the incident as a hate crime.