Anger over Belfast parade ruling

Nationalist residents oppose the west Belfast parade

The Northern Ireland Parades Commission has revised the restrictions it placed on a controversial west Belfast parade after representations from Orangemen.

The Protestant Orange Order submitted new proposals for the route of its Whiterock parade on Thursday after the commission said it could not walk the Ainsworth Avenue section of the march.

In response, the commission has issued a decision, which it says is a compromise between the Orange Order's proposals and those of the Springfield Residents Action Group, who opposed the original parade route.

The parade passes through mainly loyalist areas of west Belfast, but nationalists are opposed to it passing a peaceline interface which would take marchers into a Catholic area.

Frances McAuley: "Parades Commission has rewarded to violence threat"

Last year the parade caused controversy when Orangemen were joined by a loyalist paramilitary colour party.

Loyalist paramilitaries are also known to have attended an Orange Order meeting on parades in the Shankill area of Belfast this week.

However, on Friday evening the commission said it had "taken into account many representations, including notably today, from the leading Orangemen".

'Commission bowed to threat'

Frances McAuley from the Springfield residents' group said the new decision was a concession to Orangemen, made because of the perceived threat of loyalist paramilitary violence.

She told the BBC: "The Orange Order speak to no-one, engage with no-one and break every rule in the book and they have got more than they asked for.

George Patton: "Parade will be properly marshalled"

"They have got two marches for the price of one.

"We have talked to everyone, engaged with everyone and abided by the commission's decisions.

"We have no other intention to have anything but a peaceful protest against the parade but we will have to consider taking a different stance from now on, on consulting the Parades Commission or any other body."

George Patton from the Orange Order welcomed the decision and said the parade would be marshalled to prevent a repeat of a paramilitary presence, which he said the Order had dealt with at the time.

He added: "I would hope everyone would behave calmly and sensibly on the parade."

'Parade will be monitored'

The commission said the main Whiterock parade will now be allowed to enter Ainsworth Avenue, but at its junction with March Street, the bands will turn right and make their way to Woodvale Avenue, before walking through the former Mackie's factory and onto the Springfield Road at Flush Bend.

The Orangemen, meanwhile, will continue alone along Ainsworth Street, into Ainsworth Link and Workman Avenue, then out through the peace line gate onto the Springfield Road.

At this point, they will pass near nationalist housing, but it is expected that police will set up barriers to keep the two sides some distance apart.

The Orangemen will walk up the Springfield Road to join the bands at Flush Link for the rest of their parade.

The commission said it recognised the tensions in both communities and the potential for disorder, and it says the management and control of the parade by its organisers would be closely monitored.

It also placed restrictions on the bands playing music where they pass Catholic areas.

Trimble plea on Drumcree

Meanwhile, at a meeting with the Parades Commission on Friday afternoon, David Trimble asked chairman Tony Holland to consider allowing Orangemen was walk the dispute Garvaghy Road route for their 8 July Drumcree parade.

David Trimble: Concern about Drumcree parade

The annual Drumcree parade in Portadown, County Armagh, is one of the most hotly disputed between the Orange Order and nationalist residents.

Protests against a ban on Orangemen walking along the Garvaghy Road for the last three years have led to serious violence, both in Portadown and around the rest of Northern Ireland, in recent years.

Speaking after his meeting, Mr Trimble said: "I very much hope that the Commission will arrive at a sensible decision on the parade, which recognises the rights of the Portadown District."

A determination on the Drumcree parade is expected from the Parades Commission on 2 July.

Ulster Unionist Martin Smyth and Nigel Dodds and Peter Robinson of the Democratic Unionist Party also met the commission on Friday.