Town republican parade restricted

Commission chairman Roger Poole said the parade had little support

A dissident republican parade in Ballymena, County Antrim, has been restricted by the Parades Commission.

The Friends of William Orr parade on 9 August has been confined to Fisherwick Crescent and only a single drumbeat can be play by the accompanying band.

Chairman Roger Poole said the parade had "little popular support" and last year's parade increased tension.

"Considering recent events in Ballymena the commission judged it appropriate to restrict the parade," he said.

The commission met with a range of political representatives as well as the parade organisers.

On Wednesday Mr Poole said it would be prohibited from entering Cushendall Road, Dunclug Park, Frys Road, Broughshane Road and Fisherwick Gardens.

He said it would proceed to the end of Fisherwick Crescent and then disperse by 1930 BST. The parade starts at 1900 BST.

Pride go ahead

"Confining the parade to Fisherwick Crescent should not automatically give rise to the perception that the parade is particularly welcome in this area," Mr Poole added.

"The commission has no cause to believe that the organiser has consulted with the local community."

William Orr was a United Irishman hanged in Carrickfergus in 1797 on a charge of having administered the United Irishman's oath to a soldier.

Meanwhile, the commission has said the Belfast Gay Pride parade on Saturday, 5 August can go ahead without restriction.

Mr Poole said they respected the views of those who are "opposed to aspects of the gay pride parade" and said a protest about the parade could also go ahead.

"It is very clear to us that the Belfast Pride parade is a welcome addition to the streetscape of Belfast and in fact is a colourful and positive celebration of all lifestyles which co-exist in the city," he said.

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