Published Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Bandsmen pass protesters at St Patrick''s Church during a previous parade. (© Pacemaker)
The County Grand Orange Lodge of Belfast parade will commemorate the anniversary of the Protestant Reformation on Sunday 28 October, the parade will comprise of four bands and approximately 400 participants.
Last month bands were permitted to play hymns when passing the church during the Orange Order's Ulster Covenant centenary parade.
The parade went off peacefully but residents claimed a number of bandsmen broke the Parades Commission's determination. They said they heard the Sash being played before the end of the stretch, and claimed some bandsmen acted in a provocative way.
Seven police officers were hurt when trouble broke out and in the area during a Black Preceptory parade on 25 August, when bands broke a Parades Commission ruling that only a single drumbeat should be played passing the church and another was banned from passing.
The Parades Commission have determined that hymns can be played on Donegall Street passing the Catholic Church on 28 October, while they must play no more than a single drumbeat from the junction of the Westlink until a junction at Clifton Street, where surrounding Carrick Hill residents live, on both outward and return routes.
No supporters shall accompany the parade on its notified route in this area.
The parade organisers shall ensure that where the majority population of the vicinity are of a different tradition, and in interface areas, behaviour must be respectful; there must be no loud drumming; participants must refrain from conduct, words, music or behaviour which could reasonably be perceived as intentionally sectarian, provocative, threatening, abusive, insulting or lewd; and marching must be dignified.
Parades Commission
The parades watchdog said they were disappointed that no representation was made by the Orange Order nor were they given "any assurances in relation to the type of music that will be played when passing a sensitive area".
They also said they were disappointed that there had been no direct contact between the Orange Order and the Carrick Hill residents "despite there being no inhibitors to this dialogue taking place".
They also stated there had been no representation from Unionist politicians on the issue.
"The Commission expects this to be rectified as soon as possible, in the very near future," a statement read.
A protest organised by Carrick Hill Concerned Residents Committee has also been permitted with protestors to assemble on the footpath of an area of Donegall Street, outside St Patrick's Church and on a part of Stanhope Street.
No more than 100 people will be allowed to participate, with stewards to ensure behaviour is appropriate.
Controversy surrounding the parade point arose on 12 July when members of a loyalist band were filmed marching in circles and playing a tune alleged to be sectarian outside the church.