Dean says burnt flag will be replaced at cathedral

Rev Raymond Stewart was speaking publicly for the first time about the theft of the replica crimson flag

An Apprentice Boys' flag stolen from Londonderry's Protestant cathedral and burnt on a bonfire is to be replaced, the Dean of Derry has said.

The replica crimson flag – flown to mark the 1689 siege of Derry – was taken from St Columb's Cathedral in the run up to the bonfire in the Bogside in August.

The Very Rev Raymond Stewart said he had been "deeply saddened" by the burning of the flag despite last-ditch attempts to save it by Catholic clergy and community leaders in the Bogside.

The flag was taken from a flagpole at the top of the cathedral.

Rev Raymond Stewart receiving the replica flag from members of the Apprentice Boys days before it was stolen

Speaking publicly for the first time about the incident, Rev Stewart told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today that "extra provision to guard our property" would be taken when the flag was replaced and flown.

"We had held out hope it would be returned, I was in contact with community leaders throughout the week but sadly it wasn't to be," he added.

"I don't believe anyone should be threatened by a flag."

What is a crimson flag?

The crimson flag has its roots in the siege of Derry.

In the 1700s, Colonel John Mitchelburne hoisted the flag on the cathedral steeple and formed the first club known as the Apprentice Boys.

The flag was later formally donated to St Columb's Cathedral.

A replica is flown twice a year on dates in August and December when the Apprentice Boys hold their two main annual events in Derry.

SOURCE: St Columb's Cathedral

Items burnt on the bonfire in the Bogside included a replica crimson flag, poppy wreaths, union flags and an emblem of King Charles

Community relations

A previous replica of the original crimson flag was taken in similar circumstances in 2013 but was returned.

The latest replica had been presented to the Dean just four days before it was stolen.

Rev Stewart said he did not believe the incident had damaged community relations in the city and was hopeful that the flag would be replaced soon.

"We are grounded in outreach at St Columb's Cathedral and we reach out the hand of friendship.

"People of all denominations and backgrounds were annoyed by this and that gives us heart," he said.

"I would hope that people on both sides of our community will respect other cultures - it's what we tend to do here in the city."

Why are the bonfires lit?

Bonfires on 15 August are traditional in some nationalist parts of Northern Ireland to mark the Feast of the Assumption, a Catholic holy day.

Some bonfires are also lit in August in nationalist areas to commemorate the introduction of internment without trial during the Troubles.

Internment was brought in by the British government in 1971.