5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Protestant fraternity ‘unreservedly apologise' after pictures of members urinating near homes circulate online
The general secretary of the Protestant fraternal society, David Hoey, said he could only 'unreservedly apologise' for the 'disgusting' behaviour of some members during the Relief of Derry commemoration.
An image of what appears to be bandsmen urinating relieving themselves along the Culmore Road area of the city has been widely circulated on social media.
'We have had messages from associations across the country saying how disgusted they were about this," Mr Hoey told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme as he vowed to identify those involved.
"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.'
More than 10,000 participants and over 100 bands took part on the largest loyal order parade and marks the anniversary of the ending of the siege of the city during the Williamite wars in 1689.
Stressing that the city is 'at the heart of our association', Mr Hoey said that actions of some members 'disrespected the city' and under minded the purpose of the day.
"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 continued.
"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.
"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.'
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SDLP MLA, Mark H Durkan, expressed concerns about a pattern behaviour in recent years.
'Every year Derry opens its doors for the Apprentice Boys' march and other cultural events that are important to the unionist community," he told BBC News NI.
"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."
Meanwhile Sinn Féin MLA, Pádraig Delargy, took to social media to demand that organisers take responsibility.
'Once again, visiting loyalist bands have shown a disgusting lack of respect for the people of Derry,' he wrote.
"Those organising these events must take responsibility and ensure we don't see a repeat of these scenes and other offensive behaviour."
