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Thousands march in 'Lundy parade' | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The first part of the Apprentice Boys' Lundy's Day celebrations in Londonderry has passed off without incident. | |
About 2,000 marchers and several dozen bands paraded through Derry city centre at lunchtime. | |
They will return to the streets after a religious service and burn an effigy of the traitor Lundy later in the afternoon. | |
The police erected perspex screens to keep rival factions apart, but there was no significant confrontation. | |
Police had earlier warned troublemakers to stay away from the parade or face "robust action". | |
The march commemorates the shutting of the city's gates before the Siege of Derry in 1689. | |
Apprentice Boys Governor Jim Brownlee said it was important that the parade passed without incident. | Apprentice Boys Governor Jim Brownlee said it was important that the parade passed without incident. |
"It's certainly not in our interests to have these people about, and anyone who has an intent of causing trouble will hopefully be dealt with," he said. | "It's certainly not in our interests to have these people about, and anyone who has an intent of causing trouble will hopefully be dealt with," he said. |
"We're not organising the parade to cause trouble - we're organising it to commemorate a historic event connected with this city and it's in nobody's interest to cause any disruption." | "We're not organising the parade to cause trouble - we're organising it to commemorate a historic event connected with this city and it's in nobody's interest to cause any disruption." |
'Evidence-gatherers' | 'Evidence-gatherers' |
PSNI Area Commander, Chris Yates, said there were plans in place to deal with anyone intent on causing trouble. | PSNI Area Commander, Chris Yates, said there were plans in place to deal with anyone intent on causing trouble. |
"If you are caught committing offences you will be arrested and put before the court and dealt with," he said. | "If you are caught committing offences you will be arrested and put before the court and dealt with," he said. |
"There is an enormous amount of work that goes into the parades in planning, the negotiations and the consultation process. | "There is an enormous amount of work that goes into the parades in planning, the negotiations and the consultation process. |
"We know there is a small minority of people who are attracted to this event for one reason only and this warning is for them. | "We know there is a small minority of people who are attracted to this event for one reason only and this warning is for them. |
"The police have evidence-gatherers out, there is extensive CCTV coverage and we will use all means available to find the individuals responsible." | "The police have evidence-gatherers out, there is extensive CCTV coverage and we will use all means available to find the individuals responsible." |
The parade is one of the main events in the Apprentice Boys' calendar. | The parade is one of the main events in the Apprentice Boys' calendar. |
In line with previous years, the Apprentice Boys have moved the march to the first Saturday in December. | In line with previous years, the Apprentice Boys have moved the march to the first Saturday in December. |
This was to accommodate the business community, but there are still concerns among traders about the impact on Christmas shopping, particularly during this difficult period for the economy. | This was to accommodate the business community, but there are still concerns among traders about the impact on Christmas shopping, particularly during this difficult period for the economy. |
Robert Lundy was a governor of city who advocated surrendering to the advancing troops of James II. | Robert Lundy was a governor of city who advocated surrendering to the advancing troops of James II. |