Apprentice Boys apologise after some members urinate near homes
'Unacceptable'
Mr Hoey told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme that the incident had undermined what was otherwise a "successful day"."We have had messages from associations across the country saying how disgusted they were about this," Mr Hoey said."The governor made it clear last week that if you come to Londonderry, you respect Londonderry and you respect the city."We can only unreservedly apologise to the people of Culmore Road – they should not have had to see that."He stressed that the city "is in the heart and at the heart of our association" and that such actions "not only disrespected the city" but also undermined the purpose of the day itself.
"What was an otherwise successful day, let's say, as it was a double-decker bus, about 40 or 50 people have ruined our image and created a social media storm," he said."It simply shouldn't have happened, and it has undermined all the good work that we have done over the past six months and it is unacceptable."
Mr Hoey said the organisation would seek to identify those responsible and "deal with that robustly".He said there were "more toilet facilities than ever," and "there was no excuse for it"."We are absolutely across every detail of the parade, and we have a new team this year working hard to get things more right moving forward," he said.
In a post on social media, Sinn Féin assembly member Pádraig Delargy said: "Once again, visiting loyalist bands have shown a disgusting lack of respect for the people of Derry."Those organising these events must take responsibility and ensure we don't see a repeat of these scenes and other offensive behaviour."
'A small minority creating issues'
Commenting on the incident, the SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan said "respect must go both ways"."Every year Derry opens its doors for the Apprentice Boys' march and other cultural events that are important to the unionist community," Durkan said. "While the vast majority of people take part in good faith and with positive intent, we have seen a small minority creating issues over the past few years."These events have for a long time stood as hallmark of tolerance and respect in the north, but it must be reciprocated. He said the police had a difficult job in "managing these situations", but "people can't be allowed to act with impunity".
What is the Relief of Derry parade?
The Relief of Derry parade is held on the second Saturday in August each year, to commemorate the ending of the 105-day siege of the city in August 1689.It took place against the background of an attempt by the deposed Catholic King James II to regain his crown from his Protestant son-in-law, King William III.Also known as William of Orange, or King Billy, the new monarch was supported by Protestants in Derry, who shut the gates of the walled city to keep out the advancing Jacobite army.The ending of the siege is known as the Relief of Derry.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
10 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Emma Little-Pengelly defends taxpayer-paid trip to attend Wimbledon royal box
The deputy First Minister has said she was representing Northern Ireland when she attended Wimbledon last month. It was reported that almost £1,000 in public funds was spent on flights and accommodation for Emma Little-Pengelly and her husband, Education Authority chief executive Richard Pengelly, to attend the tournament. Advertisement The deputy First Minister told reporters on Tuesday that she attends many events of significance throughout the year. Asked about the matter following a meeting with British finance minister Rachel Reeves, she said: 'You will see that throughout the week, throughout every month, we have many different roles. 'Part of that is advocacy – that's what we're doing today in terms of emphasising to the Chancellor the needs of the people of Northern Ireland and to ask for that support for that economic growth. 'But there's also a representative role. I count it as a huge privilege to be in this role. Advertisement 'And of course, if anybody follows my social media, you will see that I am out and about on a weekly basis, representing and attending hundreds of events – most of them local community events. 'But of course, those national events and events of sport and significance as well throughout the year.' It is the biggest honour of my life to serve in this role as your deputy First Minister, with responsibility of jointly leading the Executive. In my role, I lead from the front and I lead from the heart ❤️. I have worked tirelessly to champion Northern Ireland at every… — Emma Little-Pengelly BL (@little_pengelly) August 8, 2025 Ms Little-Pengelly said she had little to add to social media posts she made on Friday. In those posts, she said: 'It is the biggest honour of my life to serve in this role as your deputy First Minister, with responsibility of jointly leading the Executive. Advertisement 'In my role, I lead from the front and I lead from the heart. I have worked tirelessly to champion Northern Ireland at every opportunity. I will always do so.' She added: 'I count it a huge honour to have been invited as deputy First Minister to attend the Royal Box at Wimbledon at the invitation of the chair of the club. 'The organisers invite a mix of political, Government, investors, business along with the world of sport and entertainment, and of course royalty, as part of the official aspect of the tournament in the Royal Box. 'It is hugely positive that Northern Ireland is invited to be represented at this significant UK British national sporting event, of huge global impact. Advertisement 'Wimbledon generates over £200 million for the UK economy. I was hugely honoured to be asked to support the event and to represent officially as deputy First Minister.'
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Majority of Brits support stripping Prince Andrew of his remaining royal titles - amid speculation future King William will look to cut him out
Two thirds of Britons support stripping Prince Andrew of his remaining royal titles, new research has shown. According to YouGov polling, 67 per cent of the population would back a move by the Royal Family to remove any remaining vestiges of his former position. The most well known title held by the late Queen's second son is the Duke of York, a title given to him on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson in 1986. According to tradition, however, he was also given the titles of Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, relating to Scotland and Northern Ireland, although they are rarely used. All three regions have seen local campaigns demanding the titles be disassociated from the prince, who remains overshadowed by a web of private and public scandals including his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Prince Andrew's scandalous and faux pas-ridden life - from the scores of alleged sexual conquests to his boorish and vulgar character - has been outlined in extracts from a new book serialised in the Mail. Andrew Lownie's book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York - also recounts the Duke's seeming infidelity and suggestions he abused his Foreign Office role to boost his own wealth on taxpayer-funded trips. The excruciating revelations have prompted fresh questions over whether the Duke should retain his titles - but his brother, King Charles III, is unlikely to deviate from his mother's famous stance of 'never complain, never explain'. Charles is thought to have sought to address the 'Andrew question' early in his reign - but his cancer diagnosis saw his priorities change. As well as his connections with the Epstein, the Duke was forced to deny ever sharing information with an alleged Chinese spy who served as a close advisor on his business ventures. His relationship with Yang Tengbo caught the attention of British intelligence services, who had to contact the Duke to warn him off amid fears Mr Tengbo was seeking to use his royal connection to his advantage. The King has withdrawn his brother's allowance even while appearing to surrender in the war over the Royal Lodge residence. Andrew must now keep the 30-room estate in Windsor Great Park maintained at his own expense - which he appears to be capable of despite a bill thought to run into the millions. Despite his troublesome reputation, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne and a Counsellor of State who can theoretically deputise for the King should he become incapacitated, although in reality this is unlikely to ever happen as there are other working royals who also occupy the position. The shamed royal, who retains his HRH status but is unable to use it publicly, also remains a member of the Order of the Garter, the nation's most ancient and prestigious order of chivalry. He also holds various Royal Victorian Orders, given to him by the late Queen, as well as other foreign and Commonwealth titles, as well as being an honorary Vice Admiral. Andrew has disappeared from the public eye, having withdrawn from royal duties - making any future action by William an effective confirmation of his informal severance (pictured 2011) The Duke has seen largely excused himself from all but the most occasional of public outings - joining the family on their Christmas walk at Sandringham and attending St George's Chapel for the Easter Sunday service. Andrew's Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry could also be stripped away after he was granted it by Elizabeth II in 2006. It is removed from those guilty of charges such as heresy or treason. The Duke of York has not taken part in the annual public Garter Day parade since 2019, following his fall from grace. His Dukedom could be struck off by way of Parliament. A Private Members' Bill sponsored by MP Rachael Maskell in 2022 sought to grant the Monarch 'powers to remove titles'. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ms Maskell is the MP for York Central. Nine in 10 local people wanted to see Andrew stripped of his title in 2022, loathing his ongoing connection with the city. He has already been stripped of the Freedom of York. His princedom and HRH title - the latter already informally withdrawn with Andrew's agreement - could be revoked by way of Letters Patent, documents signed by the monarch that grant rights and titles (and can equally take them away). The new polling says that only 13 per cent of those asked would object to him being stripped of his remaining royal titles. A further 21 per cent said they didn't know. The 67 per cent who said they would back any move is spread fairly evenly across gender, ages groups and even political affiliation. A sample 2294 adults across Great Britain were quizzed between August 6 and 7 this year, following the Daily Mail's devastating serialisation of the explosive new biography of the Duke and his wife, Sarah, Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York, which made a series of damaging claims about his private and public activities. A separate YouGov survey found that Andrew continues to languish at the bottom of the royal favourability tables, with his five per cent of Britons having a positive view of him.
The Independent
14 hours ago
- The Independent
Northern Ireland ‘absolutely crucial' for UK's growth prospects
Northern Ireland is 'absolutely crucial' for the UK's growth prospects, the Chancellor has said during a visit to Belfast. Rachel Reeves made her first trip to the province as Chancellor and was asked whether she considers Northern Ireland to be an 'economic basket case'. As part of her trip, Ms Reeves visited the filmmaking facilities at Studio Ulster and also paid tribute to Northern Ireland's defence sector. Studio Ulster, which sits on the shores of Belfast Lough, was officially opened in June in what have been termed the world's most advanced virtual production facilities spanning 75,000 square feet. Speaking at the studios, Ms Reeves said: 'Northern Ireland is absolutely crucial for the United Kingdom, including for our growth prospects. 'We've got here, at Studio Ulster, not just the best facilities in the UK, but the best facilities in the world, for a part of our economy that is globally growing at such a fast rate. 'This is the best place in the world to make those investments, to start a business, to grow a business, whether that's in video games, or TV, or film. 'That's really exciting and we benefit hugely from the thriving creative industry sector in Northern Ireland.' She continued: 'As we step up that defence spending to 3%, and then 3.5% of GDP in due course, that will mean more good jobs, paying decent wages in Northern Ireland. 'My economic belief, my strong belief, is that all parts of the country should be able to contribute to economic growth and prosperity, and all parts of the country should benefit from economic growth and opportunities. 'That has not been the case for far too long in the UK.' Ms Reeves will meet deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Finance Minister John O'Dowd later on Tuesday. She described the relationship between the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as a 'partnership approach'. The Chancellor told reporters she wants Stormont to spend its funding 'wisely' to get the best value for money for taxpayers. This includes growing the economy and creating good jobs that are well paid, Ms Reeves said. 'The UK Government, the Northern Ireland Executive have got a joint commitment to improve the lives for people here,' she added. 'We have made the record settlement at the spending review just a couple of months ago. 'Three-year settlement for day-to-day spending, a five-year settlement for capital investment and that means that the money we need for our public services in Northern Ireland and across the UK is now available. 'Now spend that money wisely to get the best value for money for taxpayers. 'We also need to grow the economy and create more good jobs, paying decent wages here.' Ms Reeves also referred to Thales, a defence firm in Belfast, which is manufacturing equipment to be sent to Ukraine. She said this is creating more jobs and bringing in higher salaries. The Chancellor also said that farmers with agricultural property worth more than £3 million 'should make a contribution'. Asked whether she had 'sympathy for farmers who are now facing an inheritance tax bill', Ms Reeves told reporters: 'We didn't increase taxes that ordinary working people paid. 'Their national insurance, income tax, VAT, fuel duty did not go up in the way the previous Tory government had in their plans, so protecting the incomes of ordinary working people. 'And since we came into office, real wages have been rising at a faster rate than inflation, and specifically on agricultural property relief (APR), if you've got agricultural property worth less than £3 million and you own it jointly with a partner, you'll pay no inheritance tax when you pass that farm on. 'But I do believe that if you do have agricultural property worth more than £3 million, you should make a contribution, but the APR, the inheritance tax on that is half the rate that anybody else pays, just 20%, and it's payable over 10 years interest-free.'
