The Five Demands

PC to discuss Covenant ‘breaches'(UTV)

An SDLP delegation will meet the Parades Commission on Tuesday to discuss alleged breaches of rulings at the Ulster Covenant march.

Tens of thousands of Orange members paraded through Belfast at the weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1912 proclamation against plans for Home Rule in Ireland.

They had been ordered to only play hymns passing two Catholic churches, however complaints were made about “provocative” behaviour by some bands.

And the Orange Order apologised after a picture emerged of a bandsman urinating at St Matthew’s in east Belfast.

Three SDLP politicians will meet the Parades Commission later to discuss the matter.

It comes after commission chair Peter Osborne told UTV parade organisers would have to look at behaviour in some instances of potential breaches.

Mr Osborne stressed the fact that the parade “passed off largely peacefully is positive”. He also called on the Orange Order to take the next step and meet with residents.

He said: “The last two or three weeks have seen an improvement in that context, there has been some dialogue, if not as much as there could be, engagement by civic leaders and senior politicians and clergy has been really important.

“The work for next year needs to start now.”

Sinn Féin has called on First Minister Peter Robinson to condemn bands that allegedly breached the Parades Commission ruling.

Police say evidence was gathered extensively throughout the day and any breaches of the Parades Commission ruling will be investigated and reported to the Public Prosecution Service.