Free tickets for the promenade performances on the City Walls and for the covered seating area in Guildhall Square can be booked on our website (SEE BELOW). You can, of course, come to the Square without a ticket – and take your chances on a ‘first come first serve’ basis – to enjoy the festival, the LegenDerry Food Market, the family fun and watch the big screens.
Kids rock Ebrington Square with mass performance of ‘Teenage Kicks’
Ebrington Square played host to school children and education groups from across the city and district as they gathered to sing one of the city’s most famous anthems. ‘Teenage Kicks’ boomed out across the Square as startled passers-by stopped to enjoy the young peoples’ performance, which will feature in Walled City Passion.
Children from St Mary’s College, Foyle College, Thornhill College, Ebrington Primary School, Good Shepherd Primary, The Model, Longtower Primary, Gael Scoil Eadáin Mhóir, St Anne’s Primary, St Columb’s College and Playtrail made up the 700-strong choir.
Festival organiser, Robert Miller, was in buoyant mood. “It’s great to see so many schools out and mixing together,” he said, “and they sounded fantastic. The city really earned its title of ‘City of Song’ today.”
What is Walled City Passion?
‘Walled City Passion’ is a live performance festival that reimagines the Easter story for a modern audience. This unique event – on April 14th ,15th and 16th – features promenade performances on Derry Londonderry’s historic walls, at 12.30 pm and 4.30 pm each day. It is broadcast on ‘big screens’ in Guildhall Square, with a host of family- friendly activities available daily from 11.30 am to 6.30 pm. Join in the fun and even become part of the story!
Merrick Copeland celebrates 1st anniversary at WPC
Today marks one year since the award-winning Merrick Copeland joined the WPC News team. She made her name during the Allied invasion of Iraq and was the first journalist to report from Baghdad after it fell in March 2003 and was one of the few journalists permitted to cover the execution of Saddam Hussein at Camp Justice in December 2006.
But what made Merrick a household name was her reports from Tunisia during the early days of the Arab Spring. Embedded with opposition forces she covered some of the most significant events in the overthrown of President Ben-Ali.
With her reputation well established, Merrick accepted a anchor role with CNBC prior to her move to WCP last year. Merrick returned home to Ireland last year becoming the leading face of WCP News. Thanks for the first year, Merrick and here’s to many more!
Caiaphas Organisation denounces Ukrainian refugee measures
The Caiaphas Organisation has denounced the relaxation in visa restrictions to give those fleeing the war in Ukraine easier access to the Walled City. Local churches and humanitarian groups had demanded an easing of restrictions to help hundreds of thousands of refugees to escape the war zone. Ian Martin, who heads Caiaphas – a pro-government authoritarian group – criticised the relaxation as dangerously irresponsible. “At a time when our own society is struggling to get back on its own feet after the pandemic,” Mr Martin said, “it seems highly irresponsible to be opening the floodgates to these people without any of the usual checks or scrutiny.” The Caiaphas organisation is one of a number of groups which have expressed concern about the refugee issue, although polling suggests their views are out of step with a majority of the population.
Crime boss Bell found ‘Not guilty’ in Walled City fire hearing
Organised crime boss Louis Bell evaded justice once again when his company, LB Inc., was found ‘Not guilty’ in the multiple manslaughter case arising from last year’s apartment block fire in the Walled City. The case had been brought by Walled City Council after one of Bell’s buildings burned down, in 2021, with the loss of 17 residents’ lives. Fire investigators blamed faulty wiring for starting the fatal fire.
LB Inc – which many regard as a ‘front’ for Bell’s underworld activities – had denied liability.
Bell wasn’t in court for the hearing, but his company issued a statement expressing regret that the incident had happened and offered sympathy to those who had been bereaved. QC Trevor Cameron, who was acting on behalf of the victims’ families, said Mr Bell’s condolences were “an empty gesture from a man who had no consideration for human life whatsoever”. He said the families were now considering pursuing a civil case against LB Inc.”
Underworld Figure Escapes Justice Again!
Notorious underworld figure Louis Bell’s organisation LB Inc. eluded justice once more as the court returned a verdict of ‘Not Guilty’ in a multiple manslaughter case. The case was brought by the Walled City Council after an apartment building in the city burnt down in 2021 killing 17 people.
LB Inc, who many still regard as nothing more than a cover for of all the underworld activity in the city and beyond, had refused to accept liability for the suspected faulty wiring which led to the fire.
Mr. Bell, who was not in court, issued a statement expressing his regret that the incident occurred. Trevor Cameron, who was acting on behalf said that “Mr. Bell’s condolences were an empty gesture from a man that no had no consideration for human life whatsoever and that the victims’ families will now be pursuing a civil case against LB Inc.”
Two Week Curfew Brought To An End
The order instating a curfew which had been in operation over the last two weeks in The Walled City was formally rescinded last night by Governor Hart.
Governor Hart, who is the civic and judicial head of the city, had instated the curfew due to increased levels of street violence in the city. Nightly street battles between pro- and anti-establishment groupings within the city had been leading to increasing levels of damage to public property and the Governor took action after a man was killed in an altercation between rival groups in the city centre.
In short statement released late last night, Governor Hart’s said that he, “would be keeping the situation under review and would not hesitate to take whatever measures were necessary to effectively police the city.”
Caiaphas Enforcer Escapes Conviction
John Wilmot walked free from the High Court today. The thirty six year old father of one had been charged with the manslaughter of Johan Loake in the city.
Mr. Loake’s body was discovered in a laneway off Bishop Street in the early hours of the morning on 27th May last year after he had addressed a public meeting earlier that evening. He had been beaten severely and had died of his wounds.
The jury deliberated for two days after the eight day trial and returned a majority verdict of Not Guilty. It had been suggested that witnesses to the crime had subsequently withdrawn their statements.
Mr. Wilmot who is emerging as a leading member of The Caiaphas Organisation was met on the steps of the courthouse by Ian Martin, the head of The Caiaphas, before being taken away.
Mystery Surrounds Man Linked to Recent Goodwill
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