Castlederg Nationalist Protest Cancelled

A planned protest by nationalist residents in Castlederg during tomorrow’s Apprentice Boys parade has been called off.

The decision follows meetings in Castlederg yesterday evening involving republicans and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

Numerous parades have been planned for tomorrow, to mark the end of the siege of L'Derry by Jacobite forces in August 1689.

Branches of the Apprentice Boys Of Derry will march through different towns across Northern Ireland to commemorate the anniversary.

Nationalists in Castlederg had planned a counter protest, but it has now been called off.

Sinn Féin MP for West Tyrone Pat Doherty said: "Over the past number of weeks there have been many wild and false claims made in the media regarding the nature of the Tyrone Volunteers Commemoration in Castlederg this Sunday.

"There has been a very deliberate bid by some to use the parade to try and undermine community relations in the area and specifically around the good work that has been done to resolve parading issues in the town."

Mr Doherty said Castlederg is a "majority nationalist town" that hosts many loyalist and unionist parades throughout the year.

"Last night after meetings in Castlederg involving local people and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness a decision was taken to cancel Saturday’s protest. This is a genuine attempt to de-escalate tensions in the town and it would be my hope that it contributes to a peaceful weekend in Castlederg."

Tensions have been rising in Castlederg recently in anticipation of an IRA memorial parade that is to pass through the town on Sunday.

Unionists had called on Secretary of State Theresa Villiers to ban the parade, but Ms Villiers said she would be legally unable to do so.

(IT/CD)