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Thousands attending city parade | Thousands attending city parade |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Thousands of people are taking part in the annual Apprentice Boys Relief of Derry celebrations in Londonderry. | Thousands of people are taking part in the annual Apprentice Boys Relief of Derry celebrations in Londonderry. |
About 15,000 Apprentice Boys and spectators, accompanied by 120 bands, have been marching through the city. | |
The parade has so far passed off peacefully, although there were five arrests following minor assaults and public order offences. | |
The PSNI officer leading the security operation, Superintendent Paul Douglas said the day had been a success. | |
"So far it has largely been an incident-free day and that is largely due to the work done by police and the organisers, local community groups and of course the business forum here in the town. | |
"So we're very pleased and I would thank everyone concerned for their efforts so far," he said. | |
Some shops have remained closed throughout the day, and a number of traders have expressed concerns. | |
DUP assembly member William Hay, a leading Apprentice Boy, said they were doing everything to minimise disruption. | DUP assembly member William Hay, a leading Apprentice Boy, said they were doing everything to minimise disruption. |
"There's still a lot of work to be done." | "There's still a lot of work to be done." |
"It's very much in our minds that the whole community benefits from this," he added. | "It's very much in our minds that the whole community benefits from this," he added. |
However, cafe owner Declan Moore said he was afraid that he would lose trade because of the parade and that it was a "ludicrous" situation. | However, cafe owner Declan Moore said he was afraid that he would lose trade because of the parade and that it was a "ludicrous" situation. |
The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys, who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688. | The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys, who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688. |
The Apprentice Boys will march around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond. | The Apprentice Boys will march around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond. |