Conditions on homecoming protest

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The Parades Commission has imposed time conditions on a Sinn Féin demonstration protesting an Army homecoming parade in the centre of Belfast next month.

The commission said the protest must not leave Bank Square before 1130 BST, organisers wanted to leave at 1200 BST.

The parades body said if the protest went as notified, there "may be an adverse effect on community relations and potential for public disorder".

The Army homecoming parade is to start at 1145 BST on 2 November.

The Sinn Féin demonstration must become a static protest 40 metres from the junction of Donegall Place and Donegall Square North and disperse immediately after the Army parade passes.

"The Commission has received assurances that this parade (Sinn Féin protest) will be conducted peacefully with dignity and solemnity, and adequately marshalled," it said in a statement.

The Army homecoming parade is to start outside the gates of RBAI at College Square and end at Oxford Street after heading along Donegall Square North for a City Hall march-past.

The parades body said it was aware "a significant number of people" wanted the Sinn Fein parade banned, but said it also knows there were many people opposed to the Army parade, organised by the Ministry of Defence.

"The Commission recognises the legitimacy of feelings of both sides and in doing so seeks to uphold the rights of all involved," it said.

The Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether or not restrictions should be imposed on controversial parades during Northern Ireland's marching season.