Priest in 'reroute parade' call

Marchers will stop playing when they pass St Ninian's RC Church

A parish priest has called on his local authority to reroute a march that will pass his church during Mass.

Father Gerard Bogan, of St Ninian's Parish, Hamilton, was attacked during a previous parade past his church.

He has written to South Lanarkshire Council asking it to reroute a parade at 1700 BST on Sunday on safety grounds and "for the freedom of worship".

The local authority said bands passing the church would not play and police were in ongoing talks with organisers.

The Hamilton Covenanters Memorial march will involve about 100 people and a flute band.

Fr Bogan said he was "shocked" when told the parade would pass within metres of his church during Mass.

We don't expect any trouble and it will be policed appropriately Strathclyde Police

He said: "Given that I was attacked outside the church at the last walk, I thought police might have shown greater awareness of the situation.

"As a result of their complete lack of sensitivity in dealing with this case it is difficult to see how we can have confidence in Hamilton police."

The previous march also coincided with Mass in St Ninian's Church.

Fr Bogan had objected to the march.

His attacker was found guilty of a breach of the peace aggravated by sectarianism.

Sentence was deferred for background reports and he will be sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 11 May.

'No legal powers'

Bishop Joseph Devine of Motherwell, said he was "surprised and concerned" to hear a further parade had been organised.

He said: "In view of the previous incident, I hope South Lanarkshire Council accept that it would be appropriate to reroute the procession away from the church."

A spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council said there have been "ongoing discussions" between police and organisers.

She added: "The agreement reached was the march would be moved from 1630 BST to 1700 BST and the bands would not play as they passed St Ninian's.

"Father Bogan seemed to accept this but has asked that the no play area be extended.

"The police offered no objection to the parade and on that basis the council has no legal powers to refuse the licence."

A spokeswoman for Strathclyde Police said organisers had moved the start time after a request from senior officers.

She added: "It is a very small walk, with approximately 100 marchers.

"They will not be playing when they pass any place of worship.

"We don't expect any trouble and it will be policed appropriately."

BBC Scotland was unable to contact the march organisers.