The Five Demands

Ardoyne: ‘It’s not a matter of if there’ll be trouble, but when …’ (Belfast Telegraph)
Fears of fresh clashes on the Twelfth of July at a flashpoint interface have risen after rulings from the Parades Commission angered loyalists and republicans.
Community leaders have appealed for calm on Thursday after Orangemen were told to hold their return parade past the Ardoyne shops in north Belfast three hours earlier than usual, and restrictions were imposed on a republican protest march.
>>Click More Pictures above to launch Twelfth 2011 gallery<< A group which represents loyalists and Orangemen in north Belfast has formally demanded that the Parades Commission should review its determination that three Orange lodges from Ligoniel must be clear of Ardoyne shop fronts by 4pm, instead of 7pm as in previous years. >>In Pictures 2010 Twelfth celebrations – click here<< >>In Pictures 2009 Twelfth celebrations – click here<<
The North and West Belfast Parades and Cultural Forum called the decision “outrageous and highly irresponsible” and a statement issued last night said the “unjust and divisive” determination would do nothing to resolve the issues facing the communities.
Serious rioting has flared at the interface in recent years after republicans protested as the PSNI pushed through a return parade past Ardoyne shops by the Orange lodges from the Ligoniel area. This year a nationalist residents’ group has been permitted to hold a protest march on the Twelfth which the Greater Ardoyne Residents Collective (GARC) says starts at 5pm. The Parades Commission has said the protesters must disperse by 5.30pm.
A statement from the loyalist Parades Forum also attacked “the draconian restrictions” placed on the morning outgoing parade.
The statement went on: “To add insult to the absurdity, this has been done to facilitate a violent republican parade that was notified at the last minute and which has no historic basis.”
The statement said the commission ruling had undermined the work that a nationalist group CARA (Crumlin Ardoyne Residents Association) and the Parades Forum was carrying out. It continued: “For those who have set aside the 12th July — a parade of such national significance — to appease a violent republican faction opposed to the peace process, must be either fools or knaves.
“This commission by their actions have created a dangerous vacuum and have convinced those within GARC who offer nothing to either community into believing that violence pays.”
Forum spokesman Winston
Irvine said it was ridiculous to expect Orangemen to return past the Ardoyne shops by 4pm.
“The prayer service at the Field doesn’t even end until around 3.30pm. The only way the Orangemen could be there would be if they were teleported to the area.”
A GARC statement said its parade would be peaceful. It added: “We cannot stress enough that we only wish people to take part in our parade who are going to act peacefully, with dignity and in a manner that respects the people of Ardoyne. Anyone who has aspirations of violence on the day is not welcome.”
Ardoyne residents last night said they fully expected there would be trouble.
Eve O’Neill said she was going to the seaside. She stated: “There is no way I would stay here or let my children be here when all anyone is talking about is how it’s all going to kick off.”
Local man Gary Kelly said: “Tensions have been rising and I can’t see us getting through the week without trouble.”
Malachy Canning said: “I don’t think it’s a matter of whether trouble starts but when it will start.
“People around here don’t want the marching.”
Ryanna Lomas is also leaving the area. She stated: “I won’t be here this week. My mum doesn’t allow us to stay at home so we’re heading up to our granny’s house to get away from the trouble.”