The family of murdered Coleraine man Kevin McDaid has appealed for calm ahead of an Orange Order parade due to pass near where he was killed.
Killowen lodge's Somme remembrance parade is due to take place on Wednesday, with tensions between loyalists and nationalists over loyalist flags and bunting in recent days. However, Evelyn McDaid said the family did not want any protest carried out on behalf of the family.
Mr McDaid (49) was attacked by a loyalist mob in the Heights area of Coleraine on May 24th after Rangers beat Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title. Damien Fleming (46) was also seriously injured in the assault.
"We continue to mourn the loss of our husband and father. We would ask that the site of his death should not be disrespected or desecrated by anyone; nor should it be used as a monument to, or flashpoint for, sectarianism," Mrs McDaid said in a statement.
"We express the sincerely held hope that this forthcoming parade passes off peacefully and without incident.
"We are a family drawn from the protestant and catholic communities. We have been raised to respect all traditions within our community and would appeal for dignity and calm at this difficult time."
The parade to due to pass through the area has been scaled back and rerouted to help ease tensions.
Up to 2,000 Orangemen and 20 bands parade through Coleraine every year, and pass through the Heights area. However, it was decided that this year only 100 people including a band would parade in the area before rejoining the main element of the parade. A number of flags have also been removed from the area by the Order.
"Kevin's murder should not be allowed, or be used as an excuse, to breed further sectarianism or division within our community," Mrs McDaid said.