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25/06/2004
Parades Commission reverses Whiterock decision
The Parades Commission has reversed its decision to ban the Orange Order from marching through a contentious area of west Belfast this weekend.
The Order's annual Whiterock parade passes through the mainly nationalist, Springfield Road into loyalist west Belfast on Saturday, however this year's march had been restricted following the display of Ulster Volunteer Force paraphernalia during last year's march.
In a statement, the commission said the parade could now go ahead "under specific and detailed conditions".
"In the light of these changes to the circumstances surrounding the parade the Parades Commission has reviewed its determination," the statement said.
"Any breaches of the determination, or a failure to continue the engagement with residents which has now begun, will impact on future parades.
"The Parades Commission is hopeful that the Whiterock parade will pass off as peacefully in 2004 as it did last year."
Welcoming today's decision, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble described the news as “correct and sensible.”
Speaking from Westminster this afternoon, the Upper Bann MP said: “Questions must be asked as to what led the Parades Commission to make such a foolish decision in the first place - a decision which ignored the positive and constructive work that has been done on both sides of the community to defuse tension ahead of the parade.
"One really has to wonder why the Parades Commission was so poorly informed on what was going on behind the scenes here, when everyone else knew this was the correct decision to make.”
(MB)
The Order's annual Whiterock parade passes through the mainly nationalist, Springfield Road into loyalist west Belfast on Saturday, however this year's march had been restricted following the display of Ulster Volunteer Force paraphernalia during last year's march.
In a statement, the commission said the parade could now go ahead "under specific and detailed conditions".
"In the light of these changes to the circumstances surrounding the parade the Parades Commission has reviewed its determination," the statement said.
"Any breaches of the determination, or a failure to continue the engagement with residents which has now begun, will impact on future parades.
"The Parades Commission is hopeful that the Whiterock parade will pass off as peacefully in 2004 as it did last year."
Welcoming today's decision, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble described the news as “correct and sensible.”
Speaking from Westminster this afternoon, the Upper Bann MP said: “Questions must be asked as to what led the Parades Commission to make such a foolish decision in the first place - a decision which ignored the positive and constructive work that has been done on both sides of the community to defuse tension ahead of the parade.
"One really has to wonder why the Parades Commission was so poorly informed on what was going on behind the scenes here, when everyone else knew this was the correct decision to make.”
(MB)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
