UTV News - Coleraine parade is 'peaceful'

Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Coleraine parade is 'peaceful'

Text Size:  A  A |  POST A COMMENT |  PRINT |  SHARE 
Parade is peaceful
An Orange Order parade in Coleraine which passed the scene where Catholic community worker Kevin McDaid was brutally beaten by a loyalist mob has passed off peacefully.

In a bid to ease tensions organisers had voluntarily re-routed the parade away from the spot where the father-of-four collapsed and died in May.

Up to 60 men from the local Killowen lodge were accompanied by the Coleraine Fife and Drum Band, but the music stopped as they entered the Heights estate.

They walked past Summerset Drive in silence.

"We thought this would be an act which would help in some way to lessen the tensions which obviously are existing in the area at the moment," Robert McIreavy from Killowen Lodge said.

PSNI's Area Commander for Coleraine, Chief Inspector Nicky Thompson said: "This is the third band parade to have taken place in the Heights area of Coleraine since the murder of Mr Kevin McDaid, and all have passed off without incident."

"I am encouraged by recent developments, and would urge all communities to maintain regular contact and to work with us, and together, to further reduce tensions, and promote community harmony."

The widow of Kevin McDaid had appealed for the parade not to be used as an excuse for further sectarianism or division.

© UTV News

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment
Close
Comments
0 Comments
Be the first to comment
Post a comment
Name:
Email Address:
Location:
Your Comment:
Verification Code: Captcha Code  Get New Code
POST COMMENT
[Before posting, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with our house rules. All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Any information you enter, including email and web addresses, will be displayed on our site if passed by our moderators.]