Menu
08/03/2011
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)
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)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
25 April 2024
BCC Welcomes Conviction Of Belfast Man For Dog Attack
Belfast City Council (BCC) has welcomed the conviction of a man at Belfast Magistrates Court for an offence involving a dog attack on a woman. BCC brought the prosecution against 43-year-old Stuart Grace, of Forthriver Crescent, Belfast, following a report that Mr Grace’s German Shepherd dog had attacked a woman, injuring her arm and back.
BCC Welcomes Conviction Of Belfast Man For Dog Attack
Belfast City Council (BCC) has welcomed the conviction of a man at Belfast Magistrates Court for an offence involving a dog attack on a woman. BCC brought the prosecution against 43-year-old Stuart Grace, of Forthriver Crescent, Belfast, following a report that Mr Grace’s German Shepherd dog had attacked a woman, injuring her arm and back.
25 April 2024
Residents Urged To Offer Ideas For City Creative Project
Belfast residents are being invited to put forward their own ideas for creative projects in their communities, as part of Belfast City Council's Belfast 2024 programme.
Residents Urged To Offer Ideas For City Creative Project
Belfast residents are being invited to put forward their own ideas for creative projects in their communities, as part of Belfast City Council's Belfast 2024 programme.
26 April 2024
New Irish Whisky Experience Opens At Crumlin Road Gaol
The First and deputy First Ministers and US Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy have marked the official opening of the newly completed McConnell's Distillery and Visitor Experience at Crumlin Road Gaol.
New Irish Whisky Experience Opens At Crumlin Road Gaol
The First and deputy First Ministers and US Economic Envoy Joe Kennedy have marked the official opening of the newly completed McConnell's Distillery and Visitor Experience at Crumlin Road Gaol.
25 April 2024
Stena Line Launches 'Women's Port Taster Day'
Northern Irish women interested in a career in the maritime industry are being invited to attend a 'taster day' at Stena Line's Belfast Harbour terminal, as part of a campaign to encourage them to pursue a career as a Port Service Operative.
Stena Line Launches 'Women's Port Taster Day'
Northern Irish women interested in a career in the maritime industry are being invited to attend a 'taster day' at Stena Line's Belfast Harbour terminal, as part of a campaign to encourage them to pursue a career as a Port Service Operative.
23 February 2024
Belfast XR Festival Unveils Full Lineup
An innovative arts festival is set to once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees. Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.
Belfast XR Festival Unveils Full Lineup
An innovative arts festival is set to once again merge technology and art to create a unique virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) experience for attendees. Belfast XR, now in its third year, specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Cloudy with longer spells of rain during the morning, this rain heavy at times. Generally brighter in the afternoon, but with scattered and at times heavy showers. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A mainly dry evening and night with isolated showers dying out and some longer clear spells. Then it will cloud over towards morning with some heavy showers. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
