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BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Derry bonfires: Last-ditch effort to save stolen flag fails
A last-ditch attempt to save a flag stolen from Londonderry's Protestant cathedral from being burned on a bonfire in the city failed, an independent councillor has replica crimson flag – flown to mark the 1689 siege of Derry – was taken from St Columb's Cathedral in the run up to the bonfire in the Bogside, which was lit on Friday councillor Gary Donnelly said efforts to have the Apprentice Boys' flag returned had failed and he believed it was burnt on the Boys' governor William Walker said he was "saddened" by the theft and it was "hard to believe that anyone would enter the grounds of a church to steal anything". "Unfortunately, it is my firm belief it was burned," Gary Donnelly told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme. "It has been destroyed and I believe that is unfortunate." Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) MLA Gary Middleton said the flag was of symbolical importance to the city's unionist is flown twice annually during events relating to the city's 1689 siege, marking the Relief of Derry in August and the shutting of the city's gates in December."To go into a church premises and steal that is completely unacceptable," he told BBC Radio Foyle."To hear it has been burnt is deeply upsetting for many people across our communities." Donnelly said some items had been handed back following mediation before the bonfires were lit but the attempt to save the replica crimson flag had come too said he believed it could have been saved if there had been "reciprocal gestures". However, he said he believed a US flag, stolen from the grounds of a school built on the site of a former US naval base, had been flag, gifted to the school by members of the former US naval communications station, was taken from Foyle College on the Limavady Road in early had been gifted to the school by members of the former US Naval Communications said it had been secured, was in a safe place and there was now "a process under way that that will be handed back". The bonfires in in the Bogside and Creggan had attracted criticism from the Catholic Bishop of Derry, Donal McKeown, who said "older sinister forces" were exploiting young people to stoke up fear and Minister Michelle O'Neill said there was no place in Northern Ireland for "illegal, unregulated bonfires" or for the burning of flags or was also condemnation after the names of a dead child and a former senior detective who was shot and seriously injured, appeared on a bonfire in Creggan. Why are the bonfires lit? Bonfires on 15 August are traditional in some nationalist parts of Northern Ireland to mark the Feast of the Assumption, a Catholic holy bonfires are also lit in August to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial of republican suspects during the Troubles, which was brought in by the UK government in 1971.
The Journal
11-08-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Apprentice Boys apologise after some members urinate near homes during 'Relief of Derry' events
THE APPRENTICE BOYS of Derry have issued a public apology after images circulated online showing several members urinating at a bus stop near homes during their annual 'Relief of Derry' celebrations. The incident occurred in the Culmore Road area on Saturday during the parade, which commemorates the end of the 105-day Siege of Derry in 1689. The Apprentice Boys are a Protestant fraternal group in Derry, who hold annual parades to commemorate the siege – an important event in loyalist history. Photos shared online during the parade over the weekend showed at least ten Apprentice Boys relieving themselves against a wall by a bus stop close to several homes. Scottish Orangemen disgustingly exposing themselves on the Culmore public Road today. Every year in Derry, thousands of Apprentice Boys' and their bands mark the end of the Siege of Derry in 1689 by marching through our City Centre, In the process the people of our City are… — 🇮🇪 𝐁𝗋ó𐓣ƶy 🇮🇪 (@BronzyGuevara) August 9, 2025 General Secretary of the Apprentice Boys, David Hoey, condemned the behaviour as 'disgusting' and 'unacceptable,' and apologised to the local community. Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle , Hoey confirmed the organisation is working to identify those responsible, and promised robust action. 'We have had messages from associations across the country expressing how disgusted they were about this,' Hoey told BBC Radio Foyle. 'There were more toilet facilities than ever, so there was no excuse for this.' He stressed that the city 'is at the heart of our association' and said the actions undermined the purpose of the day, which was otherwise considered successful. Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Pádraig Delargy also condemned the incident 'Once again, visiting loyalist bands have shown a disgusting lack of respect for the people of Derry,' Delargy said in a post online. 'Year after year, utterly despicable scenes.' Advertisement 'Those organising these events must take responsibility and ensure we don't see a repeat of these scenes and other offensive behaviour,' he added. Additional controversies arose during the parade, including some bands displaying banners linked to loyalist paramilitary groups such as the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). UDA flag on display at Derry Day march yesterday. No arrests of course. RUC more interested on arresting elderly people wearing Palestinian Action shirts. — Poblachtach Sócialach 🇮🇪 (@PSocialach) August 10, 2025 The 'East Bank Protestant Boys Londonderry' marched with a banner commemorating Gary Lynch, a UDA member killed by the IRA in 1991, while the Tullycarnet Flute Band from east Belfast carried a UDA emblem on their banner. Mark H Durkan, former SDLP leader and Foyle MP, called for police to take firmer action against disrespectful behaviour during the parade. 'While most people take part in good faith, a small minority have caused issues over recent years,' he said. 'Carrying UDA banners and openly urinating in local communities has caused considerable anger and upset.' Durkan urged the PSNI to investigate offences and for parade organisers to cooperate fully. Local Aontú councillor Emmet Doyle similarly condemned the incident, saying in a statement: 'This can't go on.' 'Every year people say it's awful and then nothing is done. Not this time,' Doyle said. 'We love our City, green and orange. Respect it or don't come at all.' The Apprentice Boys stated they will conduct a thorough review of the events with police and marshals to learn from the incidents and improve future parades. The Relief of Derry parade, held annually on the second Saturday in August, commemorates the city's Protestant residents shutting the gates against King James II's forces during the Williamite War in Ireland. It marks a key event in Irish history, and a significant Protestant victory in Northern Ireland. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Protestant fraternity ‘unreservedly apologise' after pictures show members urinating near homes
An image of what appears to be bandsmen urinating relieving themselves along the Culmore Road area of Derry. Members of the Apprentice Boys appearing to urinate in the Culmore Road area of the city. The Apprentice Boys of Derry have issued an apology after an image surfaced of what appears to be members of the group urinating near homes in the city during a parade on Saturday. 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. Members of the Apprentice Boys appearing to urinate in the Culmore Road area of the city. News in 90 seconds - 11th August 2025 "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.' 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."
Belfast Telegraph
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
‘People can't be allowed to act with impunity' – police challenged as MLAs slam some bands' behaviour at Apprentice Boys parade
Police have been urged to do more to address disrespectful behaviour by some bands and spectators at the Apprentice Boys parade in Derry. Mark H Durkan was speaking after several incidents at Saturday's event. An image was widely shared of a bus load of some visitors to the city urinating at a roadside on the Culmore Road. Similar incidents were observed in other parts of the city. The 'East Bank Protestant Boys Londonderry' paraded around the Derry Walls with a banner of Gary Lynch, listed in the CAIN Troubles archive as a member of the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). According to CAIN, Lynch was shot dead by the IRA in August 1991. Also on Saturday at the ABOD parade, the Tullycarnet Flute Band from east Belfast carried a banner with a UDA emblem on it as they marched from the Waterside area and through the city centre. Sinn Fein Foyle MLA 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." Mr Durkan said that while the vast majority of people take part in the parade in good faith, 'we have seen a small minority creating issues over the past few years'. He added: 'These events have for a long time stood as hallmark of tolerance and respect in the North, but it must be reciprocated. Carrying UDA banners and openly urinating in local communities has caused considerable anger and upset. 'Police have a difficult job in managing these situations, but people can't be allowed to act with impunity. Where offences have taken place they should be investigated and the parade organisers should assist with that. I will be making that clear to the PSNI.' When asked to comment on these incidents, the Apprentice Boys of Derry General Secretary said: 'We'll be sitting down in the next week or so to thoroughly review all reports, debrief with the PSNI and our Marshal team, to take action as appropriate and to carry forward learning points on how to improve further for the future.' He was asked what substantive actions ABOD has taken after past incidents and whether any bands have been banned from attending. And why the Tullycarnet Flute Band was not listed as taking part in the main parade on the Parades Commission website. No further response was provided. In recent times a band wore uniforms in support of a man known as Soldier F from the Parachute Regiment, who is accused of murdering two men on Bloody Sunday. Separately, stalls were selling Parachute Regiment and UVF flags in the Waterside. Over the weekend, MLAs criticised the PSNI for arresting individuals, including a female pensioner in Belfast, for showing support for Palestine Action – the non-violent protest group who have now been proscribed by the government but are challenging that ban in the courts. Asked why no action is taken on recurring incidents at the Apprentice Boys parade, the PSNI said: 'Any incidents of concern or potential offences identified will be reviewed by police and appropriate action taken. 'A protest of approximately 150 people took place at Guildhall Square on 9th August. Two people have been cautioned at the end of this protest for being in possession of an item likely to show support of a proscribed organisation, Palestine Action. 'Policing decisions are taken impartially and within the relevant legal framework. Each matter has to be considered against the specific evidence available and when reasonable grounds exists to suspect a criminal offences has been committed, or is likely to be committed, police will take appropriate action.' Watch: Shrapnel damage caused to multiple houses as residents report 'loud bang' after explosion Governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry William Walker said: 'The Association has worked hard to ensure an enjoyable day for all in Londonderry for our Annual Commemorations. "It has been an outstanding day of colour and pageant, Commemoration and celebration 'Our thanks to the PSNI, Translink and Council departments we have worked with over the past six months and more to bring everything together and for their support in undertaking changes that have improved movement around the City for those on parade and for the general public. 'We'd like to thank the Maiden City Festival who entertained visitors from across the World on the Walls in St. Columb's Cathedral and in the Memorial Hall. 'Visitors have poured through the doors of the Siege Museum individually and on booked tours learning about the Siege, the Apprentice Boys and the City. "The Festival continues to set the mood ahead of the main event at the weekend.'
BBC News
11-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Apprentice Boys apologise after some members urinate near homes
The Apprentice Boys of Derry has issued an unreserved apology after an image was widely circulated on social media, appearing to show some members urinating near homes in secretary David Hoey condemned the incident in the Culmore Road area on Saturday as "disgusting" and "unacceptable" and said the loyal order would now try to identify the men involved. More than 10,000 members took part in the annual celebrations on is one of the biggest loyal order parades in Northern Ireland and marks the anniversary of the ending of the Siege of Derry in 1689. '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 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 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 ending of the siege is known as the Relief of Derry.
