Body will not review march ruling

A limited parade is to be permitted on Saturday

The Parades Commission has refused a review of Saturday's Orange Order Whiterock parade.

Sinn Fein asked the commission to review its ruling over the west Belfast march, which last year was followed by serious and widespread trouble

Marchers were prevented from passing through the Workman Avenue gates onto the Springfield Road. This year, some marchers will be allowed through.

The commission said there was no new evidence to look at.

Sinn Fein said the determination was rewarding violence.

The commission said it had to rule on Saturday's Whiterock parade as agreement could not be reached.

'Subsequent rioting'

It said 50 Orangemen will be allowed through Workman Avenue and the rest of the parade will go to the Springfield Road via the old Mackies factory site.

Parades Commission chairman Roger Poole said the decision had been a difficult one, particularly after the "savage and shameful violence" of last year.

However, he said both sides had "shown courageous leadership and real commitment by taking part in meaningful dialogue".

The cost of policing the Whiterock parade last year and subsequent rioting in a number of loyalist areas was estimated at £3m by the PSNI.

Police officers were attacked with petrol bombs and blast bombs, as well as live rounds during the trouble.

The government-appointed Parades Commission was set up in 1997 to make decisions on whether controversial parades should be restricted.