Menu
12/09/2005
Unionist politicians react to loyalist violence
DUP leader Ian Paisley has blamed the Parades Commission "for the mess that has been created" over the weekend.
Dr Paisley had been due to address Orangemen on Saturday following the Whiterock Parade however security measures prevented Order members from reaching Woodvale Park where the North Antrim MP was due to make an address.
"Orangemen have been treated shamefully by the Parades Commission," Dr Paisley said. "The commission treated elected representatives with contempt by its refusal to even call us to put our case. We were refused the opportunity to give greater detail.
"The government has done a deal with the IRA and they are determined not to do anything to upset republicans. I am convinced that a shoddy deal between the government and the IRA is now in place and there will soon be an attempt to make people believe that the IRA is peaceful and democratic and that they have given up all their arms. We will have none of it."
Despite Dr Paisley's call for "all law abiding people to remain calm" hundreds of loyalists, alongside numerous Orangemen, confronted police and army personnel in serious civil disorder that led to 14 arrests and numerous injuries to police officers.
Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said that the weekend violence was a throwback to the 1970s.
"Firstly, we must state clearly that whatever reasons may be advanced for the causes of what has happened, there is no excuse for shootings, blast and petrol bomb attacks," the east Belfast MLA said. "Secondly we must analyse what went wrong. Why did communities that are normally peaceful and law-abiding erupt in such an astonishing way?
"The weekend's violence was much more deep seated than many are perhaps prepared to accept. I warned during the week that Loyalist communities were now suffering more deprivation, more educational underachievement and greater unemployment than ever before.
"I do not believe that the violence was solely related to the Whiterock parade alone. Whiterock became a catalyst for what happened," Sir Reg concluded.
(MB/SP)
Dr Paisley had been due to address Orangemen on Saturday following the Whiterock Parade however security measures prevented Order members from reaching Woodvale Park where the North Antrim MP was due to make an address.
"Orangemen have been treated shamefully by the Parades Commission," Dr Paisley said. "The commission treated elected representatives with contempt by its refusal to even call us to put our case. We were refused the opportunity to give greater detail.
"The government has done a deal with the IRA and they are determined not to do anything to upset republicans. I am convinced that a shoddy deal between the government and the IRA is now in place and there will soon be an attempt to make people believe that the IRA is peaceful and democratic and that they have given up all their arms. We will have none of it."
Despite Dr Paisley's call for "all law abiding people to remain calm" hundreds of loyalists, alongside numerous Orangemen, confronted police and army personnel in serious civil disorder that led to 14 arrests and numerous injuries to police officers.
Meanwhile, Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey has said that the weekend violence was a throwback to the 1970s.
"Firstly, we must state clearly that whatever reasons may be advanced for the causes of what has happened, there is no excuse for shootings, blast and petrol bomb attacks," the east Belfast MLA said. "Secondly we must analyse what went wrong. Why did communities that are normally peaceful and law-abiding erupt in such an astonishing way?
"The weekend's violence was much more deep seated than many are perhaps prepared to accept. I warned during the week that Loyalist communities were now suffering more deprivation, more educational underachievement and greater unemployment than ever before.
"I do not believe that the violence was solely related to the Whiterock parade alone. Whiterock became a catalyst for what happened," Sir Reg concluded.
(MB/SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 July 2013
Unionists 'Must Support Police' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has called on unionist MLAs to confirm their support for the police following four consecutive nights of rioting over 12 July parades. "All sides must condemn the recent violence without equivocation. Unionist leaders do not seem to be able to condemn the violence without adding in a 'but' at the end," he said.
Unionists 'Must Support Police' - Ford
Justice Minister David Ford has called on unionist MLAs to confirm their support for the police following four consecutive nights of rioting over 12 July parades. "All sides must condemn the recent violence without equivocation. Unionist leaders do not seem to be able to condemn the violence without adding in a 'but' at the end," he said.
11 July 2002
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
SF to meet Parades Commission over Twelfth parades
A meeting is to take place between Sinn Fein and the Parades Commission over a number of controversial Orange Order parades that are to take place in north Belfast on July 12. A delegation from the party is to meet the commission on Thursday morning with regard to parades along the Springfield Road and Crumlin Road planned for Friday.
03 July 2014
Unionists Walk Out Of New Talks
Northern Ireland's unionist parties have walked out of new talks intended to bring about consensus on contentious issues in Northern Ireland. The move follows a Parades Commission decision to not allow the Orange Order to march through a predominantly nationalist area of north Belfast twice on 12 July.
Unionists Walk Out Of New Talks
Northern Ireland's unionist parties have walked out of new talks intended to bring about consensus on contentious issues in Northern Ireland. The move follows a Parades Commission decision to not allow the Orange Order to march through a predominantly nationalist area of north Belfast twice on 12 July.
15 July 2013
Orange Order Says Riots Reveal 'Serious Question'
Weekend rioting in the Woodvale ares of north Belfast has been described as "attempted murder on officers". Some 44 officers have been injured in three nights of trouble, which has been said to have cost "multiple millions" of pounds. Violence broke out on Friday night following a stand-off in the Woodvale area.
Orange Order Says Riots Reveal 'Serious Question'
Weekend rioting in the Woodvale ares of north Belfast has been described as "attempted murder on officers". Some 44 officers have been injured in three nights of trouble, which has been said to have cost "multiple millions" of pounds. Violence broke out on Friday night following a stand-off in the Woodvale area.
11 July 2013
Parades Decision 'Ludicrous' - Order
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has described as "ludicrous" a decision by the Parades Commission to prevent a return march through Ardoyne on 12 July.
Parades Decision 'Ludicrous' - Order
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland has described as "ludicrous" a decision by the Parades Commission to prevent a return march through Ardoyne on 12 July.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
