06/07/2004

Sinn Féin criticise parade ruling

Sinn Féin has criticised the Parades Commission's decision to allow an Orange Order parade to pass through the mainly nationalist Ardoyne area in north Belfast on the Twelfth of July.

Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry Kelly said the decision was "absolutely wrong".

"The Orange Order time and time again have clearly broken the restrictions placed upon it by the commission, yet the very same commission fails to sanction them," he said.

While the parade will be allowed to pass through the area in the morning, restrictions have been placed on the marchers in the evening with only lodges being allowed to walk back.

The commission said that if these requirements were met then next year's police presence would be reduced.

(MB)

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