Orange Order To Reject Adams Meeting

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has renewed his appeal for a meeting with the Orange Order - but the Order is unlikely to comply, despite an earlier high level meeting involving Sinn Féin and Co Armagh members.

The news emerged after Mr Saulters revealed he had been in communication with the Sinn Féin leader.

Mr Adams has called again for a meeting with Robert Saulters, the Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.

Mr Saulters made the disclosure at a meeting of the Grand Lodge in Cavan on Saturday — the first time it has met in the Republic.

Mr Saulters said that Gerry Adams wrote to him some months ago requesting information on the Order. Mr Saulters said he replied, sending Mr Adams some literature on their traditions.

But Mr Adams, who met with Officers of the Portadown District LOL No 1 of Portadown Orangemen earlier this year, last night said he had sent a second letter renewing the request for a meeting.

He said: "It is and always has been the Sinn Féin position that the issue of parading can only be resolved through dialogue between the Loyal Orders and communities.

"Sinn Féin supports the right of the Loyal Orders to organise and to hold parades and commemorations.

"However, where parades are contentious the right to march is conditional on agreement by local residents.

"For a number of years I have written to the Loyal Orders offering dialogue around the issue of contentious parades and Orangeism and its place in modern Ireland. My meeting with Portadown Orangemen was part of this and was informative and useful.

"While Mr. Saulters acknowledged receipt of my letter and sent some literature, however he did not agree to meet. Consequently, a letter to him in late July again suggested a meeting. I await his response to this request."

However, Orange sources have indicated the meeting is unlikely to take place.

About 120 senior Orangemen attended the Co Cavan Orange Hall at the weekend, the Grand Lodge being the governing body, meeting four times a year.

They were welcomed by the Cavan County Grand Master Henry Latimer who said it was a wonderful day for Orangemen in the Irish Republic.

The Orange Order claims it has 50 lodges in nine counties south of the border and one of its biggest parades of the year is in Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal.

"The opening of the impressive Boyne Battlefield site near Drogheda has ensured that our traditions will not be forgotten," said Mr Saulters, noting the meeting remembered US-born British soldier Ranger Justin Cupples who died in Afghanistan, and who lived in Co Cavan.

The organisation will also hold a Homecoming Parade in Belfast on November 2 to welcome troops back from Iraq and Afghanistan.

(BMcC/KMcA)