Dissident republican march passes off peacefully in Derry

A dissident republican parade in Derry has passed off peacefully this afternoon.

The annual Easter Monday parade, organised by the National Republican Commemoration Committee, is billed as he “Unfinished Revolution National Easter Commemoration”.

The event has sparked scenes of violence in previous years.

A colour party of people wearing face coverings, sunglasses and paramilitary-style dress, carrying the Irish flag and republican flags, led the march from the Central Drive area of Creggan before making its way to the City Cemetery.

A crowd of a couple of hundred people followed the parade to the cemetery, including a number of young people with their faces covered, some carrying petrol bombs and planks of wood.

A police helicopter monitored the procession overhead as the parade entered the cemetery but there was no visible police presence on the ground.

Wreaths were laid at the republican plot at the City Cemetery. The main oration was delivered by Derry republican Barry Millar.

A number of international speakers also delivered speeches at the event.

Following the ending of proceedings, the colour party changed clothes which were then burned at the rear of the public toilets.. The cemetery gates remained closed until the colour party had disposed of its clothing.

The organisers of the parade had applied to the Parades Commission for permission for the event.

In its determination allowing the march to proceed, the commission explicitly prohibited the wearing of paramilitary-style clothes and flags linked to proscribed organisations.