A village has come up trumps for a man with learning difficulties after his beloved bicycle was "destroyed" in an attack by youths.
Police said they arrested and bailed two boys, aged 14 and 15, following reports that youths were causing a nuisance in Derry’s Castle Street, William Street, Shipquay Place and Waterloo Place on Tuesday night.
Video footage of an incident on Foyle Street involving Jimmy, as he is fondly known, has been shared online.
The Dunloy, Co Antrim man visits the city a few times a week after cycling seven miles from Dunloy to Ballymoney to take the train.
Student teacher and Jimmy’s pal, Orlaith Ní Gribín, told Belfast Live: “I rang him on Wednesday morning and he was really upset.
“I said I would go and lift his bike because it was destroyed when the young boys attacked him and he had to leave it in Ballymoney.
“The tyres were burst and broken off, the lights were stolen off it and the chain (was broken).
“He left it in Ballymoney and a stranger took him home the seven miles to Dunloy from Ballymoney which was nice - he didn’t know who he was and we need to find that out.
“It shocked everybody in Dunloy.”
Orlaith says Jimmy is well known and loved around Dunloy and that people were upset when they heard what happened.
“I work in the local bar and I know him very well and he would be in most nights with me in the bar,” added the 21-year-old part time bar worker.
“At least three times a week he cycles from Dunloy to Ballymoney which is about seven miles and then he gets the train to Derry because that’s what he likes to do.
“He has some quite severe learning disabilities. It gives him something to do.
“He would go and pick up wee bits and pieces for people in the bar and would me home like funny wee handbags and wee funny things.
“He was in Derry and that happened.
“Everybody was really annoyed about it so I just thought we could raise some funds to fix the bike. I didn’t think it would have the outcome that it had.”
Orlaith Ní Gribín said she posted the Go Fund Me page thinking it would gather around £50 to fix the bike “which we all know is very important to Jimmy”.
But she was astounded when it raised “well over £600”.
Jimmy is now getting the bike of his dreams after hundreds of pounds were donated for repairs to his bike.
The 21-year-old said the generosity of everyone who donated meant he had his pick of the bikes at Halfords in Ballymena .
“He is so happy,” she explained.
“We just wanted to fix the bike for him because he is a nice guy. His last good bike was actually bought for him as a birthday present from everybody in Dunloy.
“We went round all the bikes and was testing them all. He had his eye on a couple of them.
“He was driving about in the store - his reaction was brilliant, he was really really pleased,” she explained.
“Jimmy is over the moon! It’s nice to see everyone in Dunloy coming together for a good cause after a tough few weeks... thanks again.
“He will get it on Tuesday but he is just so excited.”
A PSNI spokesperson said they arrested two teenage boys following reports a gang of youths were causing nuisance in a number of areas of the city on Tuesday.
A spokesperson said: “Police received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour in Derry/Londonderry City Centre on the evening of Tuesday 14th January.
“A group of youths were reported to be causing annoyance to members of the public in a number of areas including Castle Street, William Street, Shipquay Place and Waterloo Place.
“Officers attended and detained a number of the youths. Two of the boys, aged 14 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.
“The 14-year-old was further arrested for a number of offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm and causing danger to road users.
“Both boys have since been released on police bail.”
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