A dissident republican protest in Derry later today will coincide with the annual Apprentice Boys Relief of Derry parade.
Dissident groups, Saoradh and the Irish Republican Prisoners’ Welfare Association intend staging a white line picket at Shipquay Street to demand that Lurgan prisoner, Luke O’Neill (23) be transferred from an integrated block at Maghaberry prison to a republican landing.
White line pickets by dissident republicans have been staged during the Relief of Derry parade over the last number of years. However, both protests and march have passed off peacefully.
Up to 30,000 Apprentice Boys are expected to take part in today’s demonstration. The initial parade of Derry’s walls by local Apprentice Boys takes place at 930pm with the main march starting at 12.30pm.
Police have advised that traffic diversions will be in place from around 10.30am until after 5pm.
A police spokeswoman said: “Motorists should allow extra time for their journeys and should take extra care on the diversionary routes.”
No major incidents have been reported during the annual August parade in recent years since agreement was reached between the Apprentice Boys, Bogside residents and local business owners.
