Police welcome 'peaceful Twelfth'

The PSNI have praised both sides of the community after the twelfth of July celebrations passed off without any major disturbances.

For the first time in 35-years, the army was not dispatched to any of the Belfast parades, and the contentious Ardoyne parade in north Belfast, passed off with only minor incidents being reported.

Meanwhile, in other areas of Belfast there were minor stone-throwing incidents on the Ormeau and Newtownards Road areas, while in Londonderry, there were disturbances in the Bogside and city centre when gangs of youths threw stones and bottles at police.

Last night, Assistant Chief Constable, Duncan McCausland praised both sides of the community for their part in keeping this years twelfth of July celebrations, peaceful.

He said: "Today's parades and the number of protests passed off peacefully, which must be welcomed by everyone.

"I would commend the work carried out all communities so far this summer in ensuring that we did not experience any of the violence we have seen in previous years."

He continued: "I have said in the past there is no policing solution to the parades issue and I am encouraged by the dialogue and commitment shown by both communities in working together to find an acceptable solution."

The first time in 35-years that the army has not been deployed in Belfast during the twelfth of July parades and Sinn Fein MLA for north Belfast, Gerry Kelly praised residents for their tolerance with the marches in the Ardoyne area and added that dialogue is the only way forward.

Mr Kelly said: "I would like to praise the nationalist residents of Ardoyne, Mountainview and the Dales who have once again had to endure an unwanted Orange Parade being forced through their community. There clearly were breaches of the Parades Commission determination particularly in relation to the carrying of unionist paramilitary flags. But the lesson which needs to be learned from this evening is that dialogue is the only way forward."

The government awarded a grant of £100,000 to the Orange Order to make the annual celebrations into a tourist attraction to be known as 'Orangefest.'

Security Minister Paul Goggins said that yesterday's events showed signs of visitors wanting to become involved in the festivities, which could potentially become a recognised tourist attraction for Northern Ireland.

The Minister added: "The grant we have made is to support precisely that kind of development."

Seventeen Orange Order rallies took place across the province yesterday to mark the victory of William of Orange over the forces of King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

(EF/SP)