Bands ‘played on at Catholic church’
By Deborah McAleese
28 August 2006
Royal Black Preceptory members are facing prosecution after an alleged breaching of a Parades Commission determination that music not be played outside a Catholic church.
Community leaders, politicians and preceptory members today said they were concerned at news that the PSNI is investigating the alleged breach and preparing a report for the Public Prosecution Service.
The Parades Commission had ruled that no music other than a single drum beat could be played outside St Matthew’s Church on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast on Saturday.
But bands accompanying RBP Chapter No4 played music as they passed the church on their outward and return routes.
The commission’s deliberation followed an incident last year when bands played while a funeral took place. Parade supporters branded the determination ridiculous and claimed that the bands played hymns. One onlooker said one of the bands played The Sash.
Castlereagh UUP councillor Michael Copeland MLA said the bands playing was the “least problematic of all possible outcomes”.
“The bands had passed before any service had commenced. Had the bands decided not to play it is my belief that people down there might have embarked on some other course of action.
The UUP’s Jim Rodgers said: “There was great anger over the ruling. It was a very bad decision and unnecessary.”
A spokeswoman said the PSNI was investigating a breach of a Parades Commission determination and a report is being prepared for the Public Prosecution Service. The commission meets on Wednesday for reports.
'So venceremos, beidh bua againn eigin lá eigin. Sealadaigh abú.'
--Bobby Sands