THE PARADES Commission has approved a late application for a revised route at a controversial loyalist band parade in Co Antrim.
The DUP had warned earlier this week that widespread trouble would be provoked following an earlier decision to ban the return leg of a band parade through Rasharkin tomorrow night.
Opposition from nationalist protesters has been voiced for the past two years to the parade which led to the original Parades Commission determination to curtail the original march.
But following the submission of a revised return route for the Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors and up to 40 other bands yesterday, the Parades Commission granted permission.
DUP Assembly member Mervyn Storey said the developments were common sense.
“This is a mature decision which should be praised,” he said.
“Whilst the unrepresentative republican residents group has a goal to stop all things Protestant in the village, the band has went (sic) the extra mile to ensure a peaceful and safe evening for all in attendance.”
In a statement the Ballymaconnelly Sons of Conquerors insisted they did not wish to see any trouble. “We will conduct our parade the same way we always have, with dignity and discipline,” it stated.
In Belfast SDLP North Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness led a party delegation to the Parades Commission offices yesterday in connection with another loyalist band parade at Ardoyne, the scene of three nights of rioting after July 12th.
Objecting to the Royal Black Preceptory parade in Ardoyne on August 28th, he said: “The SDLP expressed to the Parades Commission our grave concerns about the potential for serious disturbance in Ardoyne if the parade is allowed to go ahead. We made clear to the Parades Commission we are totally opposed to any band accompanying the parade as this will only lead to increased tensions in the area.”
He called for the commission “to show consistency in their decision-making as this parade is essentially the same as the parade of August 14th which the commission placed restrictions on”.