No decision yet
by Damian McCarney
Springfield Road nationalists have been made to wait for a ruling by the Parades Commission on the contentious Whiterock parade. A decision on the march, which is planned for next Saturday (June 24), was anticipated yesterday afternoon, but it is now thought that it will now not be made before Friday.
It is understood that the decision is being delayed in order to avoid scuppering the compromise negotiated in Friday’s Tour of the North parade which passes an interface at the Crumlin Road shops.
The Parades Commission held a series of meetings on Wednesday morning with Sinn Féin and SDLP representatives.
After the meeting, Lower Falls Sinn Féin Councillor Tom Hartley said, “We stressed today that given the extent of the events of last September that we wanted to see an accommodation. Dialogue is very important as the only way to resolve the issue is through agreements between residents on both sides of the Springfield Road.
“There is an alternative route available through Mackies’ Walkway, which I believe has been on the table for the last three years. I hope that sense will prevail as this is an opportunity to find a solution to a longstanding problem.”
SDLP West Belfast MLA Alex Attwood said, “The Parades Commission should hold to last year’s Whiterock decisions.
“In the absence of agreement or accommodation, any other decision sends out the wrong message, particularly after the vicious riots of last September.”
His party colleague, Upper Falls councillor Tim Attwood, said, “The outcome of dialogue around Ardoyne sets a standard.
“Talk long and hard and reach an agreed outcome. This is not where, at least yet, the Springfield talks are. In these circumstances the Commission must stand by the 2005 Commission decision.”
Journalist:: Damien McCarney
