A loyalist parade in east Belfast next weekend must be re-routed because of the threat of an eruption of violence, the Parade Commission declared today.
The Apprentice Boys lodged an application to parade close to the nationalist Short Strand area which has seen repeated clashes between nationalists and loyalists.
The Commission said there was "a real possibility of damaging community relations with a consequent effect on the likelihood of public disorder" should the parade proceed along the entire notified route next Saturday.
In its ruling the Commission said it noted the parade was to pass the flash-point area twice and had been told the routes "demonstrate a total lack of sensitivity" on the part of the parade organisers.
It also said fears had been expressed that the parade, to celebrate the anniversary of the Queen's Coronation, "has the potential to throw into disarray all the hard work locally that has gone into calming interface tensions and into building cross-community dialogue on the part of both main traditions".
The Commission stressed its re-routing did not significantly affect the right of those taking part in the parade to assemble.
And it said it believed the conditions imposed "strike a fair balance between the needs of the community and the rights of the individual".
PA