THE RUC has banned the Apprentice Boys march on Sunday from the centre of Dunloy. The DUP leader, Dr Ian Paisley, yesterday described the decision as "outrageous".
The march had been due to go from the Orange hall to the Presbyterian church. The Dunloy Residents and Parents Association cancelled a counterdemonstration for the same day.
Following a meeting late last night, the Apprentice Boys said they will be holding a church service in the village despite the ban. However, they refused to say whether it will take place in the Presbyterian church.
Dr Paisley said he would be examining the possibility of a legal challenge to the RUC's decision.
Earlier, the Rev John Gilkinson, the local Presbyterian minister, advised the Apprentice Boys to think about coming to the church directly without parading. He said he was not surprised at the decision but insisted that the last thing he and his congregation wanted to see was another standoff. He called for understanding.
"The Apprentice Boys wouldn't have any reason to be there on a Sunday afternoon except that the church is there in the village and they are seeking to come there for a service of worship.
"If the service of worship is the focus of the occasion, which I hope and feel it should he, I would say to them, think about coming directly. Is it more important to get up around the corner or is it more important to come together to worship God?"
The residents' group said it regretted the deadlock at Dunloy - and remained committed to the search for a resolution.
We acknowledge the right of the loyal orders to uphold their civil and religious liberties. However, these have been repeatedly devalued by elements associated within the loyal orders who have used the media to abuse and insult our community," said a statement.
The residents called for calm and urged the "wiser council" within the orders to help forge an agreement.
The SDLP representative for North Ant rim, Mr Sean Farren, said the Apprentice Boys' unwillingness to talk to the nationalist residents in Dunloy had resulted in the ban. It was imperative that dialogue take place.
Dr Paisley said: "What has happened is that the authorities have made a decision that there is no civil and religious liberty in Dunloy for people to go to the Presbyterian church service that they have been having for years."
He has asked for a meeting with the RUC chief constable and the security minister, Mr Adam Ingram.
A Sinn Fein candidate in the North's local elections, Mr Martin O'Neill, welcomed the decision. "In the absence of a negotiated agreement with the residents of the village of Dunloy, no parade should be allowed through.