Balmoral Review: prevista imponente parata lealista a Belfast con presenza UDA e UVF

Massive loyalist demonstration is litmus test for a decade of commemorative marches

Hopes for peace as 10,000 prepare for convenant parade

A massive loyalist demonstration through Belfast this weekend is the first major test of whether contentious historical commemorations can pass off peacefully in Northern Ireland, a UDA leader has claimed.

Up to 10,000 marchers, including UVF and UDA paramilitaries, are expected to take part in a parade on Saturday marking the centenary of the Balmoral Review which was held to oppose Home Rule in advance of the drawing up of the Ulster Covenant. Tens of thousands more are expected to be spectators.

Security is expected to be tight amid fears that dissident republicans could try to disrupt the event with protests or a series of bomb alerts.

UDA chief Jackie McDonald, who will be among the participants, said organisers were hoping the march would pass off peacefully, but measures had been put in place to reduce the potential for disorder.

“Because of our history you have to be wary of the dangers — dissidents and possibly the ‘blue bag brigade’,” he told the Belfast Telegraph. “But, anybody going there is going to pay respects and it will be dignified.

“Obviously if you live in the Short Strand you would be worried about what was going to happen. Nothing has happened in this way before. It is the first of the centenaries and it is important all round that it all goes according to plan. If everybody takes other people into consideration then you can ask the same in return when it comes to a nationalist or republican parade.”

The event, which organisers claim could be bigger than the Twelfth, will see about 70 bands make their way from Orange halls at Shankill Road, Sandy Row and Clifton Park Avenue from 10am through the city centre and east Belfast before converging on Ormeau Park for a religious service and festival from noon.

The UVF is expected to participate with some members dressed in the period costume of their forerunners the Ulster Volunteers — a militia which was set up in 1912 to oppose Home Rule.

A confidential UVF pamphlet, seen by this newspaper, said: “The organisation is not officially involved in the background or formatting of this event. However, we fully anticipate supplying 500 period dressed/uniformed men, to take part in the event, parading from the Ulster Hall to join with the main body at City Hall”.

Meanwhile, members of the UDA are also likely to attend and will be dressed in specially designed green blazers.

A source told this newspaper that the renegade UDA South East Antrim brigade would be in Belfast on Saturday.

“All of the UVF and UDA will not be there,” added Jackie McDonald. “There will be some representatives of course but there will be no paramilitary dress. I am sure the Somme Society will have military dress of the day, but paramilitary uniforms are a thing of the past.

“To be fair to the organisers, they have spoken to all the people they need to speak to and have taken every precaution. It seems to be a well-organised parade. But, you can never tell with outside elements. No one has any intention of wrongdoing. It is an Ulster Day, it should be dignified. It is for everybody who values their country and what people did for their country.”

Paramilitary emblems and regalia have been banned under a determination from the Parades Commission, which has also warned that no national flags should be burnt or defaced.

The Joint Unionist Centenary Committee (JUCC), an umbrella group for the County Grand Lodge of Belfast, Apprentice Boys, political parties, Independent Orange Order, the 36th (Ulster) Division Memorial Association and the Somme Association has appealed for participants and supporters to behave.

Stephen Gough, secretary of the JUCC, said alcohol had been banned from Ormeau Park and marshals will keep a watchful eye.

He added: “We are asking people to abide by a code of conduct.”

Background

The Balmoral Review saw 200,000 people gather at Balmoral on the outskirts of Belfast on April 9, 1912, to protest against the introduction of the third Home Rule Bill. The crowd marched from the city centre. The event was addressed by Sir Edward Carson, leader of the Irish Unionist Party. Ormeau Park was chosen as Balmoral Showgrounds were unavailable.