Castlederg March 'Totally Insensitive' - SDLP

An SDLP MLA has described a planned IRA memorial march through Castlederg in County Tyrone this Sunday as "totally insensitive".

West Tyrone MLA Joe Byrne said his party does not support the parade, nor has it ever supported marches that "commemorate or glorify violence or Paramilitarism."

The march will take place 40 years after the deaths of IRA men Seamus Harvey and Gerard McGlynn, who were killed when a car bomb they were transporting to the town detonated early.

The Parades Commission ruled that the parade can go ahead, but has placed restrictions that mean it will not be allowed to proceed around the Diamond area or past a war memorial.

Only notified bands will be allowed to take part and paramilitary trappings will not be allowed.

The move follows requests from unionist organisations and the DUP and UUP to ban the march outright.

Mr Byrne said: "This particular march at a time which coincides with the fifteenth anniversary of the Omagh bomb is totally insensitive given that so many families have suffered because of paramilitary violence in the past.

"The SDLP believe that people have the right to express their views but that with that right there is a responsibility to behave in a sensitive and respectful way. That is why the SDLP support the need for the Parades Commission or a similar body to provide adjudication on contentious parades and the necessity for everyone to abide by their rulings.

"Given the grave concerns that are developing over the Castlederg parade that is scheduled to take place on the 11 August, sensible people are asking for political intervention at the highest level to deal with the issue. Given that First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness have both spoken on this matter, it is now imperative that all political influence must be used to de-escalate the potential situation."

Mr Byrne called on the First and deputy First Ministers to have "meaningful discussions with the appropriate people".

"Castlederg has enjoyed improving community relations in recent years, and many people have contributed to this process. The current discussion around the proposed commemoration parade has the potential to undo all the good cross-community progress that has been achieved. The recent Tyrone fleadh in Castlederg was a tremendous success, and all sections of the community participated and enjoyed the festival atmosphere."

In conclusion Mr Byrne added: "Over all the years of the Troubles there have been many deaths and families who have suffered great pain. Contentious issues like parades have often increased community tension and added to that pain. For the sake of all the suffering families in the Castlederg area I think it is now essential that the full weight of the office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister is utilised to help resolve the current matter."

(IT/MH)