Restrictions on Rasharkin parade

Published Wednesday, 15 August 2012
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A contentious march through a mainly nationalist village in Co Antrim has been restricted by the Parades Commission.

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Despite attempts by Rasharkin community groups to come to an agreement over the annual Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors Flute Band, the watchdog stepped in - and fewer bands will be allowed through the area.

Twenty-five out of the invited 44 bands have been allowed to take part, and the parade must be finished by 9.30pm on Friday.

A limited number of flags can also be displayed, a move welcomed by Sinn Féin MLA for the area Daithí McKay.

"Whilst I would have preferred it that UVF and UDA flags would have been banned from the parade altogether there is an onus on the organisers to ensure that these are not unfurled as the Parade Commission have specified and there is also an onus on the PSNI to ensure that this is the case.

"The Residents Association have made it clear that they are willing to accommodate unionist parades that are of an acceptable size and which are not intimidating or sectarian in nature. That is a reasonable position. Rather than cause further division the band needs to now sit down and talk."

Two protests against the parade will take place on Friday, and TUV MLA Jim Allister said the restrictions are a "deliberate attempt by the perverse Commission to humiliate the Protestant community in Rasharkin".

"There is no possible justification for this gratuitous act. Last year 40 bands successfully processed within the allotted time. The same can be done this year, but out of vindictive venom the Commission has imposed this diktat, as year on year it tightens the screw to advance the ultimate republican ambition of no Orange feet in Rasharkin," he added.

DUP MLA Mervyn Storey has also hit out at the decision to place restrictions on the march.

"It ought to be abundantly clear to everyone by now that the Parades Commission is not interested in listening to any logical or rational points put forward by people when it comes to dealing with the Ballymaconnelly Parade," he said.

"Instead it seems determined to reward a small group of unrepresentative republicans in the village who have done nothing for Rasharkin other than create sectarian strife and tarnish the name of the village."

Meanwhile, SDLP Councillor Declan O'Loan has said that the watchdog made the right decision.

"The Parades Commission decision to limit the size of the parade and the reason for doing so are both correct.

"The Ballymaconnelly band has repeatedly refused to get into dialogue with residents. That is an indefensible position. It shows no respect for residents."

He continued: "Once again I ask that after this parade, the band agree to talk. The SDLP will argue for fair play for everyone.

"We all have a duty to a shared community but that cannot be based on domination without dialogue."

He accused the TUV politician of stoking up tensions before the parade.

© UTV News
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13 Comments
jackie in belfast wrote (276 days ago):
@Lauren in Antrim, Rasharkin in part of the UK so the flag that should be flown is the union jack.The tricolour of the republic is a foreign flag,is it not?I didn,t read anywhere in the GFA that parts of Northern Ireland had been handed over to the republic
Seamus in Derry city wrote (277 days ago):
Jonny in Cullybackey, the UVF and the YCV didn't fight in WWI. Can you show me a link so I can see their regiments within the British army during WWI? Your comment shows the propaganda and misinformation fed to young loyalists, to justify the glorification of sectarian bigots and terrorists. Sums up loyalism in general!
liam in belfast wrote (277 days ago):
@tommy, does that include the loyalists who aren't from there?
Mark in Rasharkin wrote (277 days ago):
@John County Armagh. You state: "British citizens being denied the right to parade by Parades Commission... these people have never been elected by anyone." Sounds like you are insinuating democracy there, which is very logical. How about we give a vote then to the Rasharkin people if they want these parades in their village every year? I do not believe a second count will be necessary! @Patricia. You state "I don't understand the problem with the flags (UDA/UVF/RHC/LVF)." If you think that loyalist paramilitary flags are acceptable in a 90%+ Nationalist village I believe that no comment is necessary here! @Tommy Ballymena. You state: "Parades commission should monitor this and send home the folk who don't belong there." Wouldnt it be terrific if the Parades Commission/PSNI could send everyone home that is not from the village! Too sum up. As stated previously, even as Rasharkin is still an overwhelmingly Nationalist village I have little problem with the Ballymaconnelly band having their right to march through the village on the 12th. What is totally absurd is is the 20+ bands marching through a village where they are nowhere near welcome. Do you see any Nationalist/Republican bands marching through East Belfast? Its not because its denying their civil rights, its because it would be absolutely STUPID!
WTF in Ards wrote (277 days ago):
@ Peter, Armagh. Bit hypocritical of you to condemn the bands for loyalist paramilitary regalia but forget to mention the hunger strike memorials etc. in the village. ALL paramilitary regalia should be banned on ALL sides.
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