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Residents urge peaceful protest at Covenant parade | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Nationalist residents have called for a peaceful protest during Saturday's Ulster Covenant parade in Belfast. | |
About 100 Carrick Hill residents held talks on Thursday evening to air their concerns. | |
The Parades Commission ruled that only hymns are to be played as the parade passes St Patrick's Church on Donegall Street. | |
Frank Dempsey, of the residents' group, said while they did not agree with the ruling, they would abide by it. | |
He said he did not want people from outside the area joining the protest. | |
"We will have a dignified protest on Saturday," he said. | |
On Wednesday, the commission also ruled that there should be no loyalist supporters on the section of the route, while the numbers of nationalist protesters have been limited to 150. | |
A resident from Carrick Hill is to go to court on Friday to seek a judicial review of the ruling. | |
The Orange Order expects up to 30,000 marchers to take part in the event. | The Orange Order expects up to 30,000 marchers to take part in the event. |
Earlier, it emerged that the Orange Order had changed its policy on talking to residents' groups to discuss contentious parades. | |
The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland confirmed that it decided formally in March that "flexibility be allowed over engagement at a local level". | |
This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. | This means lodges can decide whether to talk to residents' groups in their area to seek agreement over parades. |
Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". | Previously, the Order's policy was not to engage directly with "Sinn Fein-backed residents groups". |
On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. | On Wednesday, Mervyn Gibson, the county grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said the organisation did not rule out talking to residents' groups in Belfast in the future to resolve parading issues. |
David McNarry, who is a former assistant grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: "The Grand Lodge has empowered any district, putting forward a reasonable case to enter into discussions on a localised basis on local issues, to do so if it feels comfortable." | David McNarry, who is a former assistant grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, said: "The Grand Lodge has empowered any district, putting forward a reasonable case to enter into discussions on a localised basis on local issues, to do so if it feels comfortable." |
"The best people to do this are the people on the ground." | |
Reverend Mervyn Gibson said making sure the 29 September parade passed off peacefully was the priority. | |
Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church. | Last month, seven police officers were injured when trouble broke out after several loyalist bands defied a Parades Commission ruling by playing music as they marched past the church. |
The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's. | The Royal Black Institution, which had organised the 25 August parade, later apologised "for any offence caused" to clergy and parishioners at St Patrick's. |
In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church. | In an open letter, it said its anger was not directed at the Catholic church. |