Menu
14/08/2009
Rasharkin Seeks Parades Review
Nationalists living in a Co Antrim village are to challenge the Parades Commission's decision to allow a loyalist march through the village next week.
Rasharkin residents want a rethink on the commission's earlier ruling, which gave approval for the Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Flute Band, and 40 other bands, to parade on 21 August.
Commission Chair Rena Shepherd (pictured) held talks with around 100 community representatives at a meeting in the village last night.
After listening to local objections, Ms Shepherd said any review into the decision would have to meet certain criteria.
"The main ones being new evidence, or where a party felt we had evidence that we hadn't considered when we made our initial decision," she said.
The planned march follows a route along Church Road, Main Street, Bridge Street, and passes through the Moneyleck area.
Protests are expected to be staged by nationalist residents.
Conflict occurred in the area during the Twelfth, with three police officer sustaining injuries after petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at security lines.
Rasharkin Orange Hall has been targeted by vandals several times, sustaining two paint attacks in the past fortnight.
Sinn Féin MLA Daithi McKay branded the approval of the march as "absolutely ridiculous".
Mr McKay said local business will be forced to close, and claimed many local residents will have to leave due to intimidation.
However, Mr McKay has been accused of playing into the hands of "extreme loyalist elements".
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said: "They [Sinn Féin] have gone out of their way to underline the contentious nature of the parade,
"The potential for trouble exists particularly when there is a scheduled protest."
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jr defended the bands' right to march through the village.
"I think its absolutely essential that the wrong information and deliberate caricature that is being painted of this band competition is dispelled."
He dismissed suggestions the bands have links to loyalist paramilitaries as "quite frankly not true".
Paramilitary displays or emblems are banned by the Parades Commission, which also limits the number of protesters to 130, including marshals.
(PR/BMcC)
Rasharkin residents want a rethink on the commission's earlier ruling, which gave approval for the Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Flute Band, and 40 other bands, to parade on 21 August.
Commission Chair Rena Shepherd (pictured) held talks with around 100 community representatives at a meeting in the village last night.
After listening to local objections, Ms Shepherd said any review into the decision would have to meet certain criteria.
"The main ones being new evidence, or where a party felt we had evidence that we hadn't considered when we made our initial decision," she said.
The planned march follows a route along Church Road, Main Street, Bridge Street, and passes through the Moneyleck area.
Protests are expected to be staged by nationalist residents.
Conflict occurred in the area during the Twelfth, with three police officer sustaining injuries after petrol bombs and bricks were thrown at security lines.
Rasharkin Orange Hall has been targeted by vandals several times, sustaining two paint attacks in the past fortnight.
Sinn Féin MLA Daithi McKay branded the approval of the march as "absolutely ridiculous".
Mr McKay said local business will be forced to close, and claimed many local residents will have to leave due to intimidation.
However, Mr McKay has been accused of playing into the hands of "extreme loyalist elements".
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said: "They [Sinn Féin] have gone out of their way to underline the contentious nature of the parade,
"The potential for trouble exists particularly when there is a scheduled protest."
The DUP's Ian Paisley Jr defended the bands' right to march through the village.
"I think its absolutely essential that the wrong information and deliberate caricature that is being painted of this band competition is dispelled."
He dismissed suggestions the bands have links to loyalist paramilitaries as "quite frankly not true".
Paramilitary displays or emblems are banned by the Parades Commission, which also limits the number of protesters to 130, including marshals.
(PR/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 November 2024
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
Alliance Warns Of Post Office Closure Impact On Vulnerable
Alliance Communities spokespeople Sian Mulholland MLA and Kellie Armstrong MLA have warned that the closure of local Crown Post Office branches could disproportionately affect the most vulnerable members of society.
26 November 2024
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
Ergo Invests £4.5m In New Belfast Office And Creates 40 Jobs
A leading IT solutions provider has invested £4.5 million into a new Belfast office which will create 40 high-quality jobs over three years. Ergo's new office in Clockwise, River House, near Belfast's Cathedral Quarter supports its strategy of driving economic growth, job creation, and tech exports from Northern Ireland.
26 November 2024
PSNI Launches Annual Christmas Operation
Police launched Operation Season's Greetings today ahead of the busy festive period. The annual Chrismas operation, which aims to keep people safe in the run-up to and over the Christmas and New Year period, will see an increase in proactive police patrols across key areas of Northern Ireland.
PSNI Launches Annual Christmas Operation
Police launched Operation Season's Greetings today ahead of the busy festive period. The annual Chrismas operation, which aims to keep people safe in the run-up to and over the Christmas and New Year period, will see an increase in proactive police patrols across key areas of Northern Ireland.
20 November 2024
£17m To Support Pensioners Affected By Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £17 million fund to support pensioners who have lost eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment due to recent UK government changes. The one-off £100 payment will be automatically issued to an estimated 250,000 pensioners in around 170,000 households before the end of March 2025.
£17m To Support Pensioners Affected By Winter Fuel Payment Changes
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has announced a £17 million fund to support pensioners who have lost eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment due to recent UK government changes. The one-off £100 payment will be automatically issued to an estimated 250,000 pensioners in around 170,000 households before the end of March 2025.
19 August 2010
Rasharkin Return Rerouted
NI's Parades Commission has down a swift 'about-turn' and accepted a revised application from a loyalist band for its parade through the Co Antrim village of Rasharkin on Friday evening.
Rasharkin Return Rerouted
NI's Parades Commission has down a swift 'about-turn' and accepted a revised application from a loyalist band for its parade through the Co Antrim village of Rasharkin on Friday evening.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
