30/07/2015

Parades Commission Slammed Over March Decision

The Parades Commission has been slammed over its decision to let a controversial march in south Belfast to go-ahead.

The parade to take place on Friday, 31 July, organised by the Annadale Heritage and Cultural Society, will mark the 21st anniversary of the death of UDA men Joe Bratty and Raymond Elder, who were linked to the Sean Graham bookmakers' massacre in the Lower Ormeau in 1992.

It is scheduled to begin at Ballynafeigh Orange Hall and make its way around the upper Ormeau Road. Permission has been granted for 35 bands and 1,600 people to attend.

Alliance South Belfast Councillor Mr McDonough-Brown said he had been contacted by several constituents following a similar parade last year, which attracted criticism for paramilitary trappings and intimidation towards residents from participants.

He said: "I received a number of complaints from local residents about issues including public urination and disorderly behaviour by those attending the parade. All of which was reported to police, who subsequently failed to bring any prosecutions.

"This has added to the tension brought to Ballynafeigh, which is an otherwise peaceful and mixed community, by commemorating an illegal group who brought so much death and destruction to our streets, particularly so close to the scene of the bookmakers' massacre.

"The Parades Commission has failed to consider these points in making their determination."

(CD)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 November 2024
Man Extradited From US Over Historical Child Sex Abuse
A 68-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of indecent assaults on a child in the 1970s. Damien Desmond Anderson, originally from L'Derry, was extradited from the US to face justice. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault against a female who was 11 years old at the time of the abuse.
11 July 2002
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
26 January 2011
Baggott Agrees Illegal Parading Meeting
There's to be a showdown over the way in which the PSNI has been allowing illegal republican parades to take place - while at the same time cracking down on Loyal Order events to make sure they follow the letter of the law under Parading legislation.
24 January 2011
Police 'Allowed Illegal Republican Parade'
Members of the leading loyal order are said to be frustrated over an illegal march in Co Armagh yesterday and news of 'zero' prosecutions or cautions for those participating in any such illegal parades. The Orange Order described this as a "major shift" in policy, which they said, is causing huge frustration among law-abiding Orangemen.
20 December 2010
Orange Tint To Parades Commission
A former senior Orangeman who disagreed with the loyal order's leadership has been appointed to the contentious Parades Commission in Northern Ireland. Reverend Brian Kennaway will be part of a new commission appointed by the Northern Ireland Office, which will begin operating early next month.