Order leaders 'concerned' over parading

Published Saturday, 20 February 2010

The Orange Order has said it has concerns about proposals on the future of controversial parades put forward by a new government working group following the Hillsborough Castle Agreement.

It comes after around 100 members of the Grand Lodge of Ireland met on Saturday morning for a special meeting to discuss the issue in Tamnamore, near Dungannon.

Following the talks which lasted over two hours the Grand Master read out a short statement.

Robert Salters said the membership has several issues of concern over the proposed arrangements which may come from the current parades working group, and are in no position to make any judgement or form any opinion at this time.

The new Stormont working group which is made up of six representatives from the DUP and Sinn Fein was set up to review parading following the Agreement.

It is due to deliver it's report to the office of the First and Deputy First Ministers next Tuesday.

However groups representing residents in Portadown and on the Lower Ormeau Road have delivered a 24 page document to the Sinn Fein members on the panel outlining their concerns.

Brendan McKenna the spokesman for people living on the Garvaghy Road said:

"One of the points we have made in the submission is that this whole idea of tradition and custom does not have any basis in law, and indeed previous reviews have actually asked for that criteria to be removed and we believe that should be the case"

" For many years now the Orange Order have taken an alternative route out to Drumcree and that alternative route is available for them to return from Drumcree" he added.

Comments

5 Comments

Seamus M. in Belfast wrote (823 days ago):

The Orange Order is a sectarian organization. Its constitution, which prohibits Catholic membership, affirms this fact. It truly has no place in a modern multicultural society that seeks to promote and affirm the rights and liberties of all. Then again, there is one sign of hope: its membership continues to dwindle and its influence is waning.

Peter in Belfast wrote (823 days ago):

Mutual respect is fine provided that either side is not asking too much. Wanting to walk where you are unwelcome and have no support is not only being unreasonable... it is irresponsible, provocative and asking for trouble. It only happens in a very small minority of cases and its time that these cases should be banned permanently and forever, for once and for all!!! Even in a peaceful, decent, civilised society, no-one, regardless of who they are or what they represent has a God given right to parade, march or assemble where ever & whenever they want. This needs to be made clear to all those who are holding us back. There are more important things to be getting on with!!!

joe murray in Belfast wrote (823 days ago):

good to see the Orange Order concerned. Pity that concern isn't about nationalists' rights.

Deaglan Bhreathnach in An Dun wrote (824 days ago):

They spent years crying when the IRA were active, now we have a peace that we would only ever have dreamt of not 20 years hence, and all they do is moan, moan, moan, what exactly will satisfy them? They will not have their way as in the old days, but somehow I think the mayhem of the old days would be right up their alley! Furthermore, the Queen is embarrassed by them, they are a joke!