Menu
25/06/2004
Parades Commission reverses Whiterock decision
The Parades Commission has reversed its decision to ban the Orange Order from marching through a contentious area of west Belfast this weekend.
The Order's annual Whiterock parade passes through the mainly nationalist, Springfield Road into loyalist west Belfast on Saturday, however this year's march had been restricted following the display of Ulster Volunteer Force paraphernalia during last year's march.
In a statement, the commission said the parade could now go ahead "under specific and detailed conditions".
"In the light of these changes to the circumstances surrounding the parade the Parades Commission has reviewed its determination," the statement said.
"Any breaches of the determination, or a failure to continue the engagement with residents which has now begun, will impact on future parades.
"The Parades Commission is hopeful that the Whiterock parade will pass off as peacefully in 2004 as it did last year."
Welcoming today's decision, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble described the news as “correct and sensible.”
Speaking from Westminster this afternoon, the Upper Bann MP said: “Questions must be asked as to what led the Parades Commission to make such a foolish decision in the first place - a decision which ignored the positive and constructive work that has been done on both sides of the community to defuse tension ahead of the parade.
"One really has to wonder why the Parades Commission was so poorly informed on what was going on behind the scenes here, when everyone else knew this was the correct decision to make.”
(MB)
The Order's annual Whiterock parade passes through the mainly nationalist, Springfield Road into loyalist west Belfast on Saturday, however this year's march had been restricted following the display of Ulster Volunteer Force paraphernalia during last year's march.
In a statement, the commission said the parade could now go ahead "under specific and detailed conditions".
"In the light of these changes to the circumstances surrounding the parade the Parades Commission has reviewed its determination," the statement said.
"Any breaches of the determination, or a failure to continue the engagement with residents which has now begun, will impact on future parades.
"The Parades Commission is hopeful that the Whiterock parade will pass off as peacefully in 2004 as it did last year."
Welcoming today's decision, Ulster Unionist leader David Trimble described the news as “correct and sensible.”
Speaking from Westminster this afternoon, the Upper Bann MP said: “Questions must be asked as to what led the Parades Commission to make such a foolish decision in the first place - a decision which ignored the positive and constructive work that has been done on both sides of the community to defuse tension ahead of the parade.
"One really has to wonder why the Parades Commission was so poorly informed on what was going on behind the scenes here, when everyone else knew this was the correct decision to make.”
(MB)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 April 2024
Belfast Harbour Takes Delivery of New £1.5m Pilot Boat Hibernia
Belfast Harbour has this week taken delivery of its newest vessel, the £1.5 million Pilot Boat Hibernia.
Belfast Harbour Takes Delivery of New £1.5m Pilot Boat Hibernia
Belfast Harbour has this week taken delivery of its newest vessel, the £1.5 million Pilot Boat Hibernia.
20 March 2024
Belfast Man Handed Two-Year Stalking Protection Order
The PSNI have welcomed a two-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) handed down to a 46-year-old Belfast man at Belfast Magistrates Court. The man had been found guilty of stalking and harassing his 50-year-old female ex-partner.
Belfast Man Handed Two-Year Stalking Protection Order
The PSNI have welcomed a two-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) handed down to a 46-year-old Belfast man at Belfast Magistrates Court. The man had been found guilty of stalking and harassing his 50-year-old female ex-partner.
15 March 2024
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
Executive Committed To 'Better Shared Future For Everyone'
A key priority for Northern Ireland's newly restored Executive is "delivering a better shared future for everyone", the First Minister and deputy First Minister have told the NI Bureau breakfast event in Washington.
28 February 2024
Health Service Faces 'Extremely Difficult And Worsening' Situation
Northern Ireland's health and social care services are facing an extremely difficult and worsening" financial position, Health Minister Robin Swann has warned. The minister made the warning in his keynote speech at the Royal College of General Practitioners (NI) in Ballymena.
Health Service Faces 'Extremely Difficult And Worsening' Situation
Northern Ireland's health and social care services are facing an extremely difficult and worsening" financial position, Health Minister Robin Swann has warned. The minister made the warning in his keynote speech at the Royal College of General Practitioners (NI) in Ballymena.
23 February 2024
One Year On Since Attempted Murder Of DCI John Caldwell
The PSNI will "continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said as he marked the first anniversary of the gun attack.
One Year On Since Attempted Murder Of DCI John Caldwell
The PSNI will "continue to relentlessly pursue those responsible" for the attempted murder of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has said as he marked the first anniversary of the gun attack.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mostly cloudy start with scattered showers, the showers becoming more isolated and largely confined to the south this morning. Becoming brighter this afternoon, the best of any sunnier spells across northern counties. Northerly winds easing. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:A dry evening with late sunny spells and some long clear spells overnight. Becoming cloudier across the north towards dawn with a few showers possible. Touch of frost in south. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
