26/09/2012

30,000 Expected At Covenant Parade

The Orange Order have stated an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 marchers will be taking part in Belfast’s Ulster Covenant commemoration parade on Saturday.

The parade, which is taking place in the city centre, will be one of the biggest ever organised by the Order, according to a statement.

There has been some dispute surrounding the proposed parade, due to tensions which flared up over the summer-long 12 July celebrations.

The planned route will pass St. Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street, in the north of the city.

In August, bands defied a ruling which banned the playing of music outside the Catholic church.

The Orange Order has said bands taking part in Sunday’s parade will only play hymns when passing the church.

Despite the continued discourse over the controversial parade last month the Order has said it does not want the dispute around St Patrick's Church to be the main focus.

DUP and UUP leaders Peter Robinson and Mike Nesbitt have urged all those attending the parade to behave with "dignity and honour".

However, tensions continue to rise over the Order’s decision not to engage in discussions with the residents of Carrick Hill over the parade’s route.

Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness has described the decision as "hugely disappointing", adding that the Orange Order "continue to choose to disrespect the residents of Carrick Hill by refusing to enter into dialogue with them.

"Now is the time for political leaders to step forward and show leadership to ensure Saturday goes off peacefully," he added.

(IT)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 October 2014
Unionists Accused Of Holding All-Party Talks To Ransom
Sinn Féin has accused Unionists of holding all party talks to ransom over an Orange Order parade in north Belfast. MP Conor Murphy said to date there is no agenda, no timetable, no programme of work or no structure for chairing. Mr Murphy said: "We told the two governments that we are concerned that we don't have a credible talks process.
14 September 2005
Loyalist protests continue as Orange Order absolves itself of blame
Loyalists have again block roads leading out of Belfast for a fourth consecutive day, police have reported. Protestors blocked Broadway roundabout on Wednesday afternoon causing traffic chaos on the Westlink while bus services have been withdrawn on the evening services from Shankill to Ligioniel and Carlisle Circus to Carrs Glenn.
02 July 2004
Orange Order parade passes off peacefully
An Orange Order parade in east Belfast has passed off peacefully despite protests by nationalist residents. The parade saw thousands of marchers make its way along the Albertbridge Road and onto the Ravenhill Road close to the mainly Catholic Short Strand area on Thursday evening.
30 June 2003
Garvaghy Road Orange Order parade banned
The Orange Order has again been banned from parading along the Garvaghy Road in Portadown. The Parades Commission announced on Monday that the Orange Order would not be allowed to process along the Garvaghy Road following a church service on the outskirts of Portadown.
21 April 2015
DUP Hits Out At Decision To Ban Playing Music At Parade
The DUP has slammed the Parades Commission decision to ban the playing of music during part of Sunday's parade to the City of Belfast Loyal Orange Widows Fund Service. The Parades Commission decision restricts bands to a single drumbeat only from the junction of Carrick Hill and 18 Clifton Street to the junction of Union Street and Donegall Street.