UVF banner on parade
Andersonstown News
Belfast Media
By Alana Fearon
The Parades Commission has held its hands up and admitted “it could have done things a bit better” after a North Belfast residents group were left out of eleventh hour march talks.
A commission spokesman blamed “logistical and time constraints” for its failure to consult the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group (APDG) over last minute changes to the Easter Monday Apprentice Boys parade past Ardoyne.
Banning supporters
Despite an original determination banning supporters from the march, nationalist residents were outraged when up to 20 loyalist supporters accompanied two lodges and a band down past the Crumlin Road interface. Residents, who had staged a 30-strong counter protest to the march, were further enraged by a banner commemorating UVF men Sam Rockett and William Hanna which was carried in the parade and by sectarian remarks made by marchers.
Although he admitted the commission has not yet sat down with parade monitors to record complaints and breaches from Monday’s early morning parade, a spokesman confirmed this would be a priority in the coming weeks.
Hands up
“The commission has held its hands up and admitted things could have been done better before Monday’s parade,” the spokesman said.
“We were really up against it and time and logistical constraints made things difficult but we are committed to ensuring dialogue continues.
Peacefully
“In general Monday morning’s parade passed off peacefully and we would hope that would be a precursor to the forthcoming marching season.
“Although we have not actually sat down with our monitors yet to formally record breaches, this is something which will be factored into our meetings in coming weeks.”
Meeting
Speaking after a specially-organised meeting with the Parades Commission one day after the parade took place, APDG spokesman Joe Marley said he did not see the commission as a “neutral broker” in the dispute.
“We have been treated as nothing more than second-class citizens in this whole dispute,” Mr Marley said.
“Obviously we would like to see dialogue resume with the North and West Belfast Parades Forum but as it stands we do not feel we have been treated fairly or evenly by the commission.
Continue dialogue
“We want to continue dialogue which we hope will bear fruit but the commission has to ensure all parties start off on a level playing field.”
