Fresh efforts to avoid a Drumcree-type standoff in Derry over parades will be made at a Civic Forum involving both communities which reopens in the city this evening. Although community relations in Derry are relatively good, next month's Apprentice Boys' parade could become a flashpoint.
Meanwhile, proximity talks aimed at resolving the Drumcree standoff continued in Armagh last night amid speculation that the British government will agree to greater investment in Portadown for concessions by the Garvaghy Road residents on parades.
As talks ended for the evening, go-betweens involved said progress had been made.
However, the spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents, Mr Brendan Mac Cionnaith, said there was anger locally that the security forces had removed security measures without consulting locals. Loyalists had held three marches in Portadown on Monday. One had tried to forced its way down the Garvaghy Road, to be stopped "at the last moment".
In Derry, the Bogside Residents' Group yesterday claimed the level of "disruption" associated with the Apprentice Boys' parade was "without parallel". However, it believed the Apprentice Boys should be allowed to parade on August 8th.
"We hope to achieve what the vast majority of people in Derry want: an accommodation which protects the rights of the Apprentice Boys while ensuring proper access to the city for its citizens; free from fear, abuse and intimidation," said a spokesman, Mr Donncha Mac Niallais.
Tonight's meeting is the third session of the Civic Forum, established last year. However, this is the first time that the Apprentice Boys, Orange Order and main unionist parties have participated.
