Band can't pass church after tunes

The Parades Commission said the Young Conway Volunteers cannot pass St Patrick's Church as part of the City of Belfast Grand Black Chapter parade next Saturday.

Meanwhile no music other than a single drumbeat will be allowed between the junction of Clifton Street and Trinity Street and the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street.

The ruling stated: "The parade as notified passes St Patrick's Church in Donegall Street, on two separate occasions, on its outward and return routes.

"The parade includes the Young Conway Volunteers band that has been the subject of recent speculation concerning behaviour.

"The Commission hopes that resolution to these issues will be found and urges all those with influence, parade organisers and the local community to resolve these issues so that the Commission does not need to continue to take decisions."

It comes after footage appeared online of the band marching in a circle and performing outside the church during the main parade in July.

It was filmed by a Sinn Féin activist and caused concern within the party as singing by supporters suggested that the song being played was the sectarian Famine Song.

However the Shankill band said they were performing a Beach Boys song.

They said: "Any singing was coming from supporters and not the band itself. The tune we were playing is actually a Beach Boys song titled Sloop John B.

"The singing of words that some supporters associated with the tune the band was playing at the time was perhaps unfortunate and may just have been a by-product of the exuberance of the day of celebration of our culture and history."

The PSNI said it was studying the footage.