Ardoyne group 'angry' at march ruling

Published Saturday, 09 July 2011
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A nationalist residents group is calling on the Secretary of State to overrule a Parades Commission determination allowing a contentious Orange Order march to pass Ardoyne shops on the Twelfth of July.

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The Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective has also criticised the commission's decision to re-route their parade away from the Crumlin Road.

GARC had applied to hold a parade to coincide with bandsmen returning from demonstrations across the city on Tuesday, and the group's Dee Fennell said people in Greater Ardoyne were not satisfied with the decision.

"We're being hemmed in, and we're not allowed into an area that we live on and shop on to facilitate an Orange Order parade. That's sectarian and is really there to emphasise the fact that the Ardoyne residents are second-class citizens.

"That's something that's been confirmed by the Parades Commission in their ruling," he said.

Mr Fennell said people in the area believe "if there was no parade, there would be no violence".

"The only people inflaming the situation are the Orange Order and they need to take responsibility at the highest level for that," he said.

"The ultimate responsibility, now that the Parades Commission has made their determination, is the Secretary of State, who can overwrite the Parades Commission's decision to ban this parade.

"So is the Secretary of State a toothless tiger, or is he going to use his powers to overrule the Parades Commission to prevent what could be a catastrophe here on the streets?"

The group will hold a protest along Berwick Road and Estoril Park to the junction of Estoril Park and Balholm Drive between 7pm and 9pm but they are calling for the rally to remain peaceful.

The Parades Commission announced on Friday the GARC parade would not go ahead as planned, and said it had considered the "threats of disorder and the potential injuries that could result".

"Should the GARC parade process without restriction, there will be an adverse effect on already fragile community relations and potential for public disorder," the watchdog said.

Winston Irvine, of the North and West Belfast Parades Forum, said he wants an explanation from GARC on their choice to parade at the same time as the Orange Order.

"As far as we're concerned, GARC's intention has been to cause trouble and to threaten and intimidate the Protestant community and this is another attempt to provoke the Protestant community," said Mr Irvine.

"We're very worried about the situation on the ground and call for Sinn Féin to step forward and say to GARC that they don't want a repeat of last year's violence done in their name.

"The community is very nervous, they're concerned their homes are going to be attacked and concerned of members of the Orange Order because, as far as we're concerned, there's an intention by GARC and other republicans to attack Protestants because of their cultural and religious background."

Last week, the watchdog gave the Orange Order the go-ahead to march past the Ardoyne shopfronts on the Twelfth of July - but with restrictions.

It ruled the Ligoniel True Blues could pass the flashpoint near the Crumlin Road with no music, no flying of flags, and no supporters on its return leg.

On Friday night, Grand Secretary of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, Drew Nelson also appealed for people to remain calm over the next few days.

"I believe that these determinations by the Parades Commission have heightened tensions amongst our community," he said.

"Any disturbances over the next few days surrounding our parades will not be in the interests of the Orange Institution."

Last July violent clashes erupted and police came under attack during four nights of serious sectarian rioting in the area.

Shots were fired, petrol bombs thrown and cars were hijacked and set alight.

Earlier this week, over 20 men were sentenced for their part in the violence.

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63 Comments
john in ardoyne wrote (316 days ago):
i say we should embrace the parade . then all go to the shamrock for a beer, sure we are all irish anyway.
Guilpin in Earth wrote (316 days ago):
Proud - What exactly are you proud of, your bigoted attitude perhaps? The only driving out being done in Ardoyne was during the late 60's early 70's when your crowd started burning nationalist people out of their homes. Also, let's not forget your ugliness when you started throwing urine and blast bombs at 5 year school girls. As for the Crumlin Road NOT being a Catholic area, what is the stretch between Everton and Flax Street?????? You're talk and actions are nothing short of reprehensible.
proud in woodvale wrote (316 days ago):
99% of the trouble has always been started by ardoyne residents ive lived in the area for 27 years so i know they have tried to drive the prods out for years parades are great they will never stop the crumlin road is not a catholic area
Marcella in Co. Down wrote (317 days ago):
I am a nationalist who was educated in an integrated school and also a law graduate. Wrap the 12th July parades up in whatever integrated way you wish but at the end of the day its traditions are rooted in sectarianism with an incitement to hate. In the ECHR incitement to hate parades/crimes are illegible to be banned and also the waving of flags offensive to people in there own communities can also come under the banner of incitement to hatred. I believe that it is about time that the ECHR give a ruling in respect of the sectarian parades situation as for too long it has been seen as the norm and its about time nationalist voices were heard in an unbiased way in respect of same.
Tommy Atkins in London, England wrote (317 days ago):
No Graham yoou are wrong There are NO bandsmen in the B.A or PSNUI. This is simply due to the fact that entry into these organizations requires a mental and educational screening of all applicants
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