The Five Demands

Watchdog rules on republican event (UTV)

The Parades Commission has imposed restrictions on a republican parade to be held in Belfast next Sunday.

Around seven bands and 500 people are expected to take part in the parade led by the Henry Joy McCracken flute band on Sunday 25 August.

The bands will not be allowed to proceed past the junction of Victoria Parade, they have rerouted away from Clifton Street and will make their way to the graveyard in the area of Henry Place via Carlisle Road.

They will make their return journey along the same route.

A ruling is yet to be made on two protests from the Greater Concerned Residents Group Belfast and Concerned Residents Group Shankill, with up to 600 people planning to attend.

It comes after serious rioting broke out in the city last Friday as hundreds of loyalists clashed with police lines ahead of an anti-internment rally.

A total of 56 police officers were injured when pieces of scaffolding, bricks and steel guttering were thrown at them.

On the same day the Royal Black Institution will also be holding its annual Black Preceptory parade later in the afternoon.

Around two bands and 300 people will take part in the annual procession.

There were scenes of violence at last year’s parade due to tension caused by a band filmed during the Twelfth playing a sectarian song outside St Patrick’s Church on Donegall Street.

The parades watchdog has therefore ruled that the bands may only play respectful hymns when passing the area and that no supporters will be allowed at this point.

Up to 100 members of Carrick Hill Concerned Residents Committee have been allowed to protest at two locations at the chapel.

Another 50 people from New Lodge North Queen Street Residents have been given permission to stage a demonstration at the junction of Clifton Street and North Queen Street.

A ruling is yet to be made on a third group, Stanhope Street and Concerned Friends Group, who have asked for 200 people to be allowed to demonstrate.

PUP member Winston Irvine is opposed to the upcoming republican parade, highlighting disorder that broke out last year when the band organised a similar march.

A total of 47 police officers were injured after trouble broke out when the band met with a loyalist crowd gathered in an un-notified protest.

“The fact of the matter is we have a band here which has organizing a parade which has no annual basis, this is a new parade. In our opinion a very provocative and confrontational parade and that’s been proven last year,” he said.

“This is a parade that coincides with a Royal Black Preceptory church parade, this is a counter parade to a church parade. This is designed to further heighten tension and to stir up sectarian strife in north Belfast.”