RIR Homecoming Parades Planned

Despite republican protests at a previous parade in 2008, homecoming marches are to be held in Northern Ireland to mark the return of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) from Afghanistan.

They will take place in Belfast, Lisburn and Enniskillen, with the first happening on Friday, May 20 in the Co Fermanagh town, followed by Lisburn the following Saturday and Belfast on the Sunday.

Yesterday, the DUP's Ian Paisley said that "the soldiers will receive a homecoming".

"Earlier this year I wrote to the Secretary of State for Defence, Liam Fox and asked him to arrange a series of homecoming events for the RIR who are soon to return from Afghanistan," the North Antrim MP said.

"I'm pleased to report that he has contacted me in writing and has agreed that the regiment will be supported in a number of events in Northern Ireland."

At the same time, Ian Paisley's DUP colleague, the MP for South Antrim, Dr William McCrea was highlighting Monday's second anniversary of the tragic RIRA murder of two young soldiers Sapper Mark Quinsey and Sapper Patrick Azimkar.

"We as a people owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the professionalism and sacrifice of our young servicemen and women who place their lives on the line in the theatre of conflict across the world to keep us free," he said.

See: Parade Plan Heightens Tension As Executive Fails To Meet See: Sappers' Murders Commemorated

(BMcC/KMcA)