Body cameras used by marshals for safety at Apprentice Boys’ parade

By Alan Healy

The annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade passed off without incident at the weekend, which also marked the first time marshals at the event were equipped with body cameras.

Traffic diversions were put in place from around 10.30am on Saturday morning, with the main parade, which was made up of the General Committee and eight Parent Clubs, returning to the city from the Waterside at around 5pm.

Around 15,000 people took part in the event, according to the Apprentice Boys.

Republicans staged a white-line picket on Shipquay Street while band members made their way around the Diamond area, although no trouble was reported.

Speaking to the Derry News yesterday, Jim Brownlee, governor of the Apprentice Boys of Derry described Saturday’s event as ‘very peaceful and very dignified’, and also paid tribute to all those involved, including the parade marshals.

“We had a very successful parade, there were no arrests and no major incidents, which is a mark of how well marshalled the event was given that 15,000 took part,” he said.

“It was also the first time that the parade marshals wore the body cameras, which ensures not only their safety, but also deters people from maybe doing something they shouldn’t.”

Meanwhile, the DUP councillor David Ramsey, who was one of the marshals at the event, added that the introduction of body cameras had benefitted the parade.

“This was something that we had been in discussions about in relation to internal discipline during the parade, and Saturday was the first time that we were equipped with them,” he said.

“It was a very positive move, because I saw first-hand as a marshal how smoothly the parade ran, and the fact that it passed off without incident.”

Alderman Ramsey added that he was also happy to see the level of interest in the parade among visitors to the city.

“There was a lot of tourists coming into that part of the city throughout the day, and the biggest tourist asset we have at our disposal is the City Walls, and we feel that the parade is something that celebrates our rich legacy her in the city.”