NATIONALIST residents protesting against an Orange Order parade in Newtownbutler, Co Fermanagh, were hemmed in side streets by a large security force presence last night.
Clashes broke out when RUC officers in full riot gear pushed demonstrators back from the main road to allow the parade to pass through the town, which is more than 80 per cent nationalist. Seven residents, including several women, claimed they received injuries during the operation.
Two meetings between the Newtownbutler area Residents' Association and members of the local Orange Order and Black Institution held in the past fortnight over the contentious parades ended without any resolution, according to a spokesman for the residents, Mr Kevin Lawrenson.
He said the residents had wanted the number of parades through the town every year reduced from about six to three. He added that the Orange Order and Black Institution did not reply to the residents' offer of three parades.
About 100 residents began gathering on High Street for a counter- demonstration shortly after 5 p.m.. The security forces moved in at around 6 p.m. with 10 Land-Rovers and forced the residents back into Crom Street.
Another five Land-Rovers sealed off one end of High Street. A further 20 Land-Rovers and more than 100 police officers and troops were positioned around the town.
Mr Lawrenson said residents were angered by the police action, which, he claimed, was excessive. "We wanted to hold a peaceful, dignified counter- demonstration. People in the village are under curfew. We are corralled like animals. We have no freedom of movement at all."
However, the Rev Roy Magee, who chaired the meetings between the opposing groups to try to resolve the parades dispute, said he was quite pleased with the outcome of last night's event which he attended as an observer.
"There were no severe injuries and no loss of life. It seemed to be a reasonable solution to the problem. There was a measure of restraint on both sides."
But a local SDLP councillor, Mr Fergus McQuillan, said he was "absolutely appalled" by the situation. "After today's affair in Drumcree, all the other marches should have been called off by Mo Mowlam," he said.
The parade, led by the Knox Pipe Band from neighbouring Magheraveely, passed by the residents on the way to the church service shortly before 8 p.m. Residents booed and jeered from behind the police and army lines as about 100 brethren walked by.