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The Journal
4 days ago
- 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
4 days ago
- 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."
Irish Independent
4 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.' ADVERTISEMENT 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."
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Protestant fraternity Apprentice Boys ‘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.' 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.
Belfast Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Apprentice Boys ‘unreservedly apologise' after pictures of members urinating near homes circulate online
The general secretary of the fraternity, 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.' 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."
