Ex-UDA leader defends Twelfth stance

Published Wednesday, 11 July 2012
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Former UDA leader Jackie McDonald has responded to stinging criticism of comments he made about the Twelfth, insisting his remarks were taken out of context by Ulster Political Research Group figures in west Belfast.

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As UPRG spokesman for south Belfast, Mr McDonald spoke out on Monday and described the Twelfth of July as his "worst day of the year", because of the efforts needed to keep the peace in parts of his local area.

He also expressed support for the idea that Orangemen in the future could scrap return parades.

But the west Belfast branch of the UPRG branded his views "disgraceful and offensive" and said Mr McDonald was "totally unqualified" to pass comment.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Mr McDonald said he didn't want to get involved in a "war of words".

"Loyalism has been through enough in recent years," he added.

"Anything I sad, I can stand over. I can stand by it, because it was completely taken out of context. I support the Orange; I support the right to walk."

South Belfast UPRG places on record our complete support for the right to march.

South Belfast UPRG

The former UDA leader said the internal row could be difficult to get past though.

"I don't know if it'll be possible to sit round the same table again, but we've been in more difficult situations than this and we resolved them for the betterment of loyalism."

Explaining why he would be supportive of plans for a 'one-way ticket' for Orange parades in the future, Mr McDonald said: "Because of the problems I've had in south Belfast - and maybe that's selfish - I'm supporting that, if they (the Orange Order) decide that, I'm behind it.

"But I cannot, will not, attempt to tell the Orange Order what to do, and I don't think anybody else should either."

The west Belfast branch of the UPRG says it stands by its statement and is making no further comment.

However, Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has said he agrees with Mr McDonald's point of view.

Speaking about the situation regarding contentious parades in north Belfast, he said: "I agree with loyalist leader Jackie McDonald that the Orange Order needs to look seriously at the issue of return parades.

"A decision not to return past Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales in the evening would transform the situation in north Belfast."

Security journalist Brian Rowan told UTV the disagreement within the UPRG looked like "a chunk of loyalism washing its dirty linen in public", but he added that it was not a feud such as might have developed in the past.

"At this stage of the peace process, we're not talking about a feud - we're talking about a falling out and maybe a circumstance and a situation where people go their separate ways."

© UTV News
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22 Comments
joe in belfast wrote (315 days ago):
Patrick Leonard in Derry wrote...joe in belfast why wouldnt the psni support a one way ticket? Patrick, think about it from the police operation view. there would be more trouble than there is now.
Guilpin in Earth wrote (315 days ago):
Isobel necessary on a bike?
Stickyblade in Belfast wrote (316 days ago):
Tomek as no one seems to want to answer your question I will. I dnt think of myself as British, as I do not live in england nor do I think of myself as Irish, as I do not live in Ireland. As I live in Northern Ireland I class myself as Northern Irish. Now i'll b interestin to see if anyone starts ta debate this one. Wat the 12th & 13th is about the history of Northern Ireland, unfortunately people arent happy about this but it seems to be that people are unhappy about everythin n anythin! I hope this is abit helpful bt its probably not lol
Dave in ... wrote (316 days ago):
Jackie McDonald... Has been terrorist, hard man, no longer anything... Has had his day ordering his henchmen to do his bidding. Now wants to stick his oar into the political end of things. When are you going to put yourself forward for an MLA place Jackie? You're Nothing !!!
Conor in China wrote (316 days ago):
I grew up as a young Catholic in McDonald's old stomping ground, Rushfield Avenue to be exact. Far from being even close to perfect that area was probably one of the most mixed working class areas of Belfast before it became the 'new' middle class. I'd never met the man himself, but was told by a couple Catholic friends of mine he wasn't the worst. Practical is the word I think I'm looking for. And that's what we need. Practical people on both sides. I always hated the marches as a child growing up. They scared me. Not because I really understood what they all were about, they are genuinely sinister to someone who wasn't 'part of that fold'. What Jaackie has said is now that the area has changed, from when I was growing up as majority Protestant (I use the term loosely), to majority Catholic (again, loosely), it's no wonder he dreads it. The endless bickering over where the flags should start and stop, the times, the return leg, the potential trouble with the increasingly radical Catholics in that area. No wonder it's the worst day of the year for him.
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