A SENIOR member of the Apprentice Boys has urged dissident republicans to relocate a planned protest in Londonderry next week.
The call comes as the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, the political wing of the Real IRA, confirmed a regular weekly picket would go ahead on August 14 the same day as the annual Relief of Derry commemorations.
Tensions are rising in the aftermath of a bomb attack on the citys Strand Road police station this week. A 200lb car bomb was detonated outside the PSNI base on Tuesday morning.
The blast came only days after a statue of seige hero Governor George Walker was deliberately damaged on Society Street.
Dissidents have been holding regular �white line� protests over prison conditions at Maghaberry jail on Saturday afternoons at 2pm.
The pickets held at Shipquay Street are normally only yards from the Diamond where thousands of Apprentice Boys and bandsmen will march through next week.
General secretary of the Apprentice Boys, Billy Moore, insisted republicans, as a gesture of �goodwill�, should move their scheduled protest.
�It the picket has nothing to do with our parade,� he said.
�If they are going to encourage a number of people onto the streets on the same day and fairly close to our parade route, it obviously could create difficulties. I would encourage them to relocate their protest to another area of the city which is not in the vicinity of our parade.�
Stressing the matter was a policing issue, Mr Moore added: �The Apprentice Boys would be deeply disappointed if anyone came to the city, or anyone from the city, set out on August 14 to create problems.
�We have gone the extra mile in trying to create good community relations and reached out the hand of friendship to everyone, but in doing that we do expect to celebrate and commemorate our history in a way that we have been doing for many years.�
A spokesman for the 32 County Sovereignty Movement told the Londonderry Sentinel: �These protests have been a regular occurrence on Saturday afternoons in Derry city for the past few years.
�A few months back, due to the deteriorating conditions in Maghaberry prison and increasing brutality and torture directed at republican POWs, we decided to hold the protests on a weekly basis.
�No other events or activities organised by any other body will be a factor or an obstacle in our ongoing campaign to highlight the inhuman conditions endured by republican POWs.�
Earlier this week, DUP MLA WIlliam Hay claimed the dissident threat was higher in the city than at any time prior to the annual Apprentice Boys march.
The Foyle representative said the republican protest was �only really an excuse to disrupt the day and to disrupt the parade�.
The PSNI has confirmed any protest will be policed in an �appropriate and proportional way to ensure public safety and an early return to normality�.
Top Commenters
-
Anna
· 3 posts -
Magnus100
· 1 post -
Memory Foam Mattress
· 1 post -
Lake Garda Weather
· 1 post -
BestBank
· 1 post -
Kilsally
· 1 post
Recent Comments
-
BestBank
Honestly This is very nice to come here and looks like people loves to notice you and giving their comments what they think. Thanks for this nice impression.
Wild Woods Of Tyrone: Gibraltar all set to celebrate the Queen`s Jubilee · 12 years ago
-
Double Glazing Pershore
Imagine all of the possibilities and all the fun you can have creating a cookbook from your own recipes using family photos, or choose from professional recipes available at the site. And the best...
Wild Woods Of Tyrone: Ulster-Scots Cookery Book · 13 years ago
-
Anna
I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome. ________________
single user copy PIPING WORLD DIGITAL 27 JUNE 2011 · 13 years ago
-
Anna
Considerably, the article is in reality the sweetest on this valuable topic. I harmonise with your conclusions and will eagerly look forward to your future updates. Saying thanks will not just be...
-
Anna
Normally I wouldn’t comment on posts but I felt that I had to as your writing style is actually good. You have broken down a tough area so that it easy to understand. ____________________
-
Magnus100
Wow! This is wonderful. I was just about to permanently deposit my N1 in a dustbin due to lack of memory to run my needed apps, now you've given my N1 a new lease on life. Thanks soooooo much.
Cyanogen mod 6 Classic Apps 2 Sd or Apps 2 Ext - HTC Hero running google Android Froyo 2.2 · 14 years ago
-
Christian Watch
Thanks for helping promote this event. To be kept informed of other similar events register for the 'Watch Pray Act' updates here......
Papal Visit Protest and Gospel Witness Update · 14 years ago
-
Memory Foam Mattress
first time I saw disqus on blogspot~~~~
-
KowalskiL
You wrote: "The NIHRC is not merely unrepresentative but also 'anti-democratic.' Indeed it smacks of Stalinism� But then some of the strongest supporters of the NIHRC are from a background that...
-
Lake Garda Weather
That's the great article! I just pass 'n read it, two thumbs up! ;)