Watchdog rules on Ardoyne parade
The Parades Commission has given the Orange Order the go-ahead to march past the Ardoyne shopfronts in north Belfast on the Twelfth of July – but with restrictions.
The watchdog has ruled that the Ligoniel True Blues will pass the flashpoint near the Crumlin Road with no music, no flying of flags, and no supporters on its return leg.
“The Commission has not easily arrived at this decision,” the body said in its determination.
“It has had to consider the threats of disorder and the potential injuries that could result from that, the impact of disorder on the community on the Crumlin Road and in Ardoyne, and the rights of those who seek to display their culture in a way that is dignified.”
The determination mirrors that made last year – when violent clashes erupted and police came under attack during four nights of serious rioting in the wake of the march.
Shots were fired, petrol bombs thrown and cars were hijacked and set alight.
Among the worst of the trouble, a female police officer was badly injured when a concrete block was dropped on her head.
The watchdog added: “The Commission is aware of the particularly difficult and sensitive issues surrounding parades at this interface over the years.”
But Winston Irvine from the North and West Belfast Parades’ Forum told UTV: “Given that the Commission has decided to restrict the Twelfth of July parade, there is a lot of anger and people are very disappointed at yet another decision which sees heavy restrictions placed on the Protestant community’s cultural tradition.”
Permission has been granted for a residents’ protest in the area during the return parade, but again with restrictions placed.
Local SDLP councillor Nicola Mallon said residents have been left “bewildered” by the decision and added: “They faithfully engaged, and remain willing to engage, in a meaningful talks process with parade organisers.
“But once again a parade and highly contentious band is being imposed in the absence of dialogue and without local agreement.”
Sinn Féin’s Gerry Kelly said: “The Parades Commission only two weeks ago stopped an Orange Order march past Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales.
“Nothing has changed since then, so why they have allowed this march to go ahead twice on the 12th of July bears no logic and is extremely disappointing.”
