Distretto NordParate

Lealisti sfidano la Commissione Parate per il Tour del Nord

Loyalists might defy march ruling of parades body

Tour of the North, ArdoyneLOYALISTS have refused to rule out defying a Parades Commission ruling placing restrictions on this year’s Tour of the North parade.

The parades body has sparked anger by banning two Orange lodges from passing an interface area in north Belfast on Friday evening.

Brethren from Ligoniel True Blues LOL 1932 and Earl of Erne LOL 647 will not be permitted to pass the Ardoyne shops as part of a feeder parade.

The restriction comes despite talks being held between loyalists and a nationalist residents’ group in an attempt to reach consensus over parades in the area, which have prompted violence in the past.

A group of loyalists protested outside the commission’s Bedford Street offices yesterday afternoon.

Winston Irvine, from the North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum, said the action was taken to highlight the “anger and widespread disgust” over the commission’s decision.

He said despite loyalists talking with local residents, the body still “sees fit to penalise” loyal order parades.

Asked if Orangemen could ignore the restrictions, Mr Irvine insisted “all options” remain open and called on secretary of state Owen Paterson to intervene.

“I know people are very angry at the moment at how the Protestant community is being treated and people are not prepared to tolerate it.

“We certainly would call on the secretary of state to intervene because this commission is going to lead the Protestant community down a cul-de-sac.”

Last month, two loyalist bands flouted a Parades Commission ruling placing musical restrictions on a Sunday parade in east Belfast.

A DUP delegation, who met with the Parades Commission yesterday over the restrictions, said in a joint statement: “Failure by the commission to move from the current restrictive position would reward intransigence by republicans. The rest of society is moving forward, it is time for the commission and republicans to do likewise.”

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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